The art of sharing the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease with patients and caregivers: recommendations of an expert consensus panel.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a set of recommendations for primary care physicians (PCPs) suggesting how best to communicate with patients, caregivers, and other family members regarding the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease (AD).


METHODS
A national roundtable of 6 leading professionals involved in treating or advocating for patients with AD was convened on March 14, 2008. This roundtable included 4 leading academic physicians with diverse backgrounds (a geriatric psychiatrist, a neuropsychiatrist, a neurologist, and a geriatrician) from geographically diverse regions of the United States, who were invited on the basis of their national reputation in the field and experience working with minority populations with dementia; the executive director of a national AD advocacy organization; the executive director of a national advocacy organization for caregivers; and a medical correspondent with expertise in interviewing and small group leadership.


METHODS
Expert opinion supported by academic literature (search limited to PubMed, English language, 1996-2008, search terms: Alzheimer's disease, primary care, diagnosis, management, caregiver, family, patient-physician relationship).


METHODS
Moderated dialogue aimed at generating consensus opinion; only statements endorsed by all authors were included in the final article.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnosis and management of AD by PCPs, utilizing specialist consultation as needed, may contribute to earlier diagnosis and treatment, improved doctor-patient and doctor-caregiver communication, increased attention to caregiver needs, and better clinical and quality-of-life outcomes for patients and caregivers. A set of expert panel recommendations describing practical strategies for achieving these goals was successfully developed.
Grossberg
George T
GT
Department of Psychiatry, St Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri ; Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Pharmacology, Neuropsychiatric Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City ; Department of Internal Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee ; Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee ; National Alliance for Caregiving, Bethesda, Maryland ; and Alzheimer's Foundation of America, New York, NY.
Christensen
Daniel D
DD
Griffith
Patrick A
PA
Kerwin
Diana R
DR
Hunt
Gail
G
Hall
Eric J
EJ