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Alzheimer's disease diagnosis disclosure in Brazil: a survey of specialized physicians' current practice and attitudes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 September 2007

Irina Raicher ,
Marta Maria Shimizu ,
Daniel Yasumasa Takahashi ,
Ricardo Nitrini  and
Paulo Caramelli
Irina Raicher
Affiliation:
Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
Marta Maria Shimizu
Affiliation:
Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
Daniel Yasumasa Takahashi
Affiliation:
Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
Ricardo Nitrini
Affiliation:
Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
Paulo Caramelli*
Affiliation:
Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Professor Paulo Caramelli, Coordinator of the Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190 – Room 4070, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil. Phone: +55 31 3248 9746; Fax: +55 31 3248 9745. Email: caramelp@usp.br.
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Abstract

Background: There is little, though growing, interest in the research area of attitudes held among physicians towards disclosing the diagnosis of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD), or the current practice on AD disclosure. This study aimed to investigate the practice and attitudes of specialized physicians towards AD diagnosis disclosure in Brazil.

Methods: A questionnaire was devised to survey the current practice and attitudes regarding diagnosis disclosure of AD in Brazil and sent to specialized physicians (170 geriatricians, 300 neurologists and 500 psychiatrists) by electronic mail.

Results: From 970 potential respondents, 181 physicians who usually attend AD patients returned the questionnaire. There were no significant differences between the three specialties regarding the frequency with which they informed patients of their AD diagnosis (p = 0.17). The results revealed that only 44.8% of the physicians would regularly inform the patient of the diagnosis, although 85.6% of these use clear terminology. Despite their usual practice, 76.8% would want to know their diagnosis if they themselves were affected by AD.

Conclusions: Disclosure of AD diagnosis is not common among specialized physicians in Brazil and different factors are involved. In the clinical context, discussion on advantages of diagnosis disclosure can be useful for improving the care of AD patients and their families.

Keywords

dementiaAlzheimer diseasediagnosis disclosurebioethics
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 20 , Issue 3 , June 2008 , pp. 471 - 481
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2007

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