Expectations, experiences, and tensions in the memory clinic: the process of diagnosis disclosure of dementia within a triad

Orit Karnieli-Miller, Perla Werner, Judith Aharon-Peretz, Gary Sinoff, Shmuel Eidelman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Health communication studies emphasize the importance of addressing the needs and expectations of patients and families with the disclosure of grave medical conditions. However, little attention has focused on their expectations and experiences of the clinical encounters in diagnosis disclosure of dementia. Methods: In-depth post-encounter interviews with ten patients and 17 companions from two memory clinics in Israel were analyzed using grounded theory. The analysis focused on identifying their expectations, their experiences, and their perceptions of the process and outcomes. Results: Major differences exist between patients and companions expectations. Patients expectations were an expression of the lack of knowledge/understanding of the visits purpose and of insight into the memory deterioration. Companions had more clear-cut expectations: some desired confirmation of the legitimacy and pertinence of their concerns about their relatives memory problem, whereas others hoped to allay their concerns. Patients dissatisfaction stemmed mostly from their perceptions of the process, communication, and outcome. Companions dissatisfaction stemmed from lack of information or of tailored follow-up processes for implementing recommendations provided by the clinic. Conclusions: Our findings expose two main issues challenging fulfillment of the different and frequently opposing expectations of patients and companions. The first is a consequence of the multi-participant nature of the encounter and the second relates to the character and severity of the disease itself. The discordance between the expectations of the two participants generates conflicts that interfere with meeting their diverse needs within the encounterswith consequent disappointment. The implications of these issues merit consideration in the planning of dementia management.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1756-1770
Number of pages15
JournalInternational Psychogeriatrics
Volume24
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2012

Keywords

  • Alzheimers disease
  • breaking bad news
  • tailored communication
  • triadic communication

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Expectations, experiences, and tensions in the memory clinic: the process of diagnosis disclosure of dementia within a triad'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this