Patients and families desire a patient to be told the diagnosis of dementia: a survey by questionnaire on a Dutch memory clinic.

BACKGROUND

Controversy exists as to whether dementia patients should be told their diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined as to whether, both patients with subdued memory impairment and their accompanying relatives want a diagnosis of dementia or somatic disease disclosed to the referred patient.

METHOD

Fifty consecutive out-patients referred to a memory clinic and their accompanying relatives filled in a questionnaire regarding their views on telling the diagnosis to the patient in case of a somatic disease and in case of a dementia. An ordinal scoring system was used (not important 1; little important 2; important 3 and very important 4).

RESULTS

Forty-six (92%) questionnaires were completed. All the patients and their accompanying relatives thought it was at least important that physicians should tell the patient their diagnosis in case of a somatic disease, and 96% of the patients, 100% of the spouse and 94% of the non-spouse accompanying relatives stated the same in case of a dementia. All the spouses and most of the accompanying relatives showed similar desires for a dementia or somatic diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

In The Netherlands, out-patients with subdued memory impairment, mostly suffering from a dementing illness, wish to be informed of their diagnosis, therefore should not automatically be considered incompetent.