Truth-telling and the diagnosis of dementia
Pinner, Gill
Pinner, Gill
Abstract
Discusses the disclosure of the diagnosis of dementia, suggesting that most research on truth-telling in relation to diagnosis is held in the cancer literature. Little is known about the attitudes held and current practice by psychiatrists and physicians toward disclosing a dementia diagnosis. Topics covered include the advantages and disadvantages of disclosure and ethical issues involved. Research on geriatricians and psychiatrists of old age suggests that most do not tell their patients the diagnosis, but that most would wish to know themselves. Research on caregiving relatives of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients suggests that most would not want their relative to be told of the diagnosis. Less is known about patient preferences. The moral doctrine of diagnosis disclosure is derived from a respect for the patient's autonomy as well as beneficence. The article also gives suggestions on when and how to deliver the diagnosis of dementia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
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Date
2000
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Citation
Pinner, G. (2000). Truth-telling and the diagnosis of dementia. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 176 (6), pp.514-515.