ArticleThe British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners2012
Difficulties in disclosing the diagnosis of dementia: a qualitative study in general practice.
Article in The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 2012. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 34 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
34 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Navigating the Threshold: Barriers and Facilitators to Accessing Primary Care Among People Living with Dementia-A Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026Pooled it
- Alzheimer's Association clinical practice guideline for the Diagnostic Evaluation, Testing, Counseling, and Disclosure of Suspected Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (DETeCD-ADRD): Executive summary of recommendations for primary care.Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · 2025Guideline
- From suspicion of cognitive decline to dementia diagnosis: a systematic review of healthcare professionals' considerations and attitudes.Age and ageing · 2025Pooled it
- Trial
- Primary care determinants for timely diagnosis of dementia.Family medicine and community health · 2026Article
- Influential Factors when Making Decisions About Dementia Medications in Memory Assessment Services; a Focused Ethnography and Interview Study.Journal of geriatric psychiatry and neurology · 2026Article
- Understanding the essential components and effectiveness of pre-assessment counselling (PAC) in providing a timely diagnosis according to NHS clinicians.Dementia (London, England) · 2026Article
- "A Million Miles From How They Used to be": Understanding Conversations From the Perspective of People with Dementia, Family, and Professionals.Dementia (London, England) · 2025Article
- Improving clinicians' self-efficacy in delivering a diagnosis of dementia: A before-after study.Australasian journal on ageing · 2025Article
- Diagnostic information in GP referral letters to a memory clinic: a retrospective cohort study.BJGP open · 2025Article
- Dementia in Turkey-Physician's Perspectives on Facilitating and Challenging Aspects in the Diagnostic Process.International journal of geriatric psychiatry · 2025Article
- Best Practices for Communicating a Diagnosis of Dementia: Results of a Multi-Stakeholder Modified Delphi Consensus Process.Neurology. Clinical practice · 2024Article
- The chiropractors' dilemma in caring for older patients with musculoskeletal complaints: Collaborate, integrate, coexist, or separate?PloS one · 2024Article
- The Room Where It Happens: Clinician Reflections on Returning Preclinical Alzheimer's Biomarker Results to Research Participants.The journal of prevention of Alzheimer's disease · 2024Observational
- Beliefs around help-Seeking and Support for Dementia in the Australian Arabic Speaking Community.Dementia (London, England) · 2023Article
- Barriers and Best Practices in Disclosing a Dementia Diagnosis: A Clinician Interview Study.Health services insights · 2022Article
- Article
- The Impact of Demographic, Socio-Economic and Geographic Factors on Mortality Risk among People Living with Dementia in England (2002-2016).International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
- Consequences of a Diagnostic Label: A Systematic Scoping Review and Thematic Framework.Frontiers in public health · 2021Article
- Priorities and Preferences of People Living with Dementia or Cognitive Impairment - A Systematic Review.Patient preference and adherence · 2021Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDementia is an insidious and stigmatised condition, and research indicates that GPs find communicating this diagnosis particularly problematic. Delays in diagnosis may impede optimal patient care. Little research has been published on Australian GPs' perceptions of barriers to disclosing the diagnosis of dementia.
aimTo explore GPs' perceptions of barriers to disclosing the diagnosis of dementia. DESIGN AND
settingQualitative study in the general practice consultation context.
methodSemi-structured, audiorecorded interviews were conducted with GPs from three capital cities and one regional centre in Australia. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was conducted.
resultsGPs' lack of confidence in having a correct diagnosis, concern to act in patients' best interests, and the stigma associated with the 'dementia' label influenced the disclosure process. GPs found it challenging to identify dementia in the consultation context. It was difficult to raise the issue when both the patient and their family/carer(s) ignore/are unaware of symptoms of cognitive decline. Referral to a specialist was favoured to confirm suspicions, although this did not always result in a definitive diagnosis. Opinions differed as to whether the GP or the specialist was better placed to deliver the diagnosis. GPs preferred disclosure to the patient with his/her family/carer(s) present; associated issues of confidentiality and the importance of offering hope emerged. The severity of the patient's dementia also guided the diagnostic disclosure process. GPs often used euphemisms for dementia when disclosing the diagnosis, to soften the message.
conclusionComplex issues surround the disclosure of dementia. Communicating this diagnosis remains particularly challenging for many GPs.
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Registered trials
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