| |
| |
| |
Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
 | |
|
The process of giving and receiving of a diagnosis of dementia
— an in-depth study of sufferers', carers' and consultants' experiences | | Author(s) | Elaine McWilliams |
| Journal title | PSIGE Newsletter, no 64, March 1998 |
| Publisher | Psychologists' Special Interest Group in Elderly People - PSIGE, British Psychological Society, March 1998 |
| Pages | pp 18-25 |
| Keywords | Dementia ; Diagnosis ; Attitude ; Informal care ; Psychiatrists ; Patients. |
| Annotation | This qualitative study examined how a diagnosis is given and received. It was hypothesised that the sharing of information would be inhibited in the same way as with other disorders. Both the dementia and oncology literatures were used to inform specific research questions. Consultants, carers and sufferers were interviewed, to develop a picture of factors that facilitate or hinder the ability to talk about a diagnosis of dementia. Grounded theory methodology was used to analyse the data. There were many similarities with results from the oncology literature, with consultants avoiding frank disclosure and discussion of the diagnosis. They did not routinely give full information, although more was disclosed to carers than to sufferers. Carers were generally unhappy with the amount of information given. Sufferers felt they received too little information, and the manner of presentation was not always helpful. Overall, everyone involved in this critical process was trying to protect someone, the consequence being that only limited information was shared. As a result of this study, it is possible to suggest a working hypothesis to explain current clinical practice, and to suggest changes at the service and clinical levels. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-980902221 A |
| Classmark | EA: LK7: DP: P6: QT9: LF |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
|
| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
| |
|
|