"Many Doctors Who Diagnose Alzheimer's Fail to Tell The Patient." - 0 views

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  #1 harrisn2 on 19 Nov 15

   

  The short media clip on npr.org discussed that many families of Alzheimer's patients feel as if they are not being served as well as they should be because these patients are not being told by their doctor about the diagnoses of Alzheimer's. Only about 45% of people with Alzheimer's report that their doctor told them they had the disease. In the past, this was the case with other diseases such as cancer, as well. Doctors were not informing their patients of their diagnosis; however, since the 1960s doctors have been reportedly become more reliable about disclosing information about diagnoses such as cancer and informing the patient about them having the diagnoses. Why is this still not the case for individual's with an Alzheimer's diagnoses. To ensure Alzheimer's patients hadn't forgotten things their doctor had previously said, survey responses were also investigated--these results were only a little better. One excuse that has been given for not disclosing the diagnoses to the patient has been very short appointment times. They have stated that it is a difficult diagnosis to explain and to take it, so it is difficult to squeeze all of the information into just a few minutes. I believe that even attempting to use such an excuse is unethical and absurd. I understand there are timelines and health professionals, at times, have strict guidelines and productivity to meet -but this is no excuse to not disclose information about someone's health. Once a diagnosis is made, this information should be laid out to the patient as well as their family members. A fatal brain disease is not something that should be taken lightly and these patients should have knowledge of this disease before it progresses too much that they do not know what is happening to them. Patients and their families may want to plan trips or create memory books together, for the later stages of the disease. If the patient is unaware of the diagnosis they may miss out on getting to do certain things or make arrangements that they would have made, if they were aware of their diagnoses. Yes, it is a sensitive subject, as is a diagnosis of cancer, but it will allow everyone to be more prepared and comfortable with the care they are receiving. I believe OT could assist in this dilemma by possibly having educational meetings with the diagnosing physician on ways to deliver the news or to collaborate with the whole range of healthcare professionals that will be taking care of the patient to prep them on what they will be doing to help them and what to expect. OT can help with activities such as putting a memory book together or how to make reminders that are safe and reliable for the patient. We may also be able to assist in discussing future planning with the patients and their families as well as utilize our therapeautic use of self to put them at ease during this rough time. If you want to listen to the whole discussion, I've included the link below.
  
  http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=394927484

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">The short media clip on npr.org discussed that many families of Alzheimer's patients feel as if they are not being served as well as they should be because these patients are not being told by their doctor about the diagnoses of Alzheimer's. Only about 45% of people with Alzheimer's report that their doctor told them they had the disease. In the past, this was the case with other diseases such as cancer, as well. Doctors were not informing their patients of their diagnosis; however, since the 1960s doctors have been reportedly become more reliable about disclosing information about diagnoses such as cancer and informing the patient about them having the diagnoses. Why is this still not the case for individual's with an Alzheimer's diagnoses. To ensure Alzheimer's patients hadn't forgotten things their doctor had previously said, survey responses were also investigated--these results were only a little better. One excuse that has been given for not disclosing the diagnoses to the patient has been very short appointment times. They have stated that it is a difficult diagnosis to explain and to take it, so it is difficult to squeeze all of the information into just a few minutes. I believe that even attempting to use such an excuse is unethical and absurd. I understand there are timelines and health professionals, at times, have strict guidelines and productivity to meet -but this is no excuse to not disclose information about someone's health. Once a diagnosis is made, this information should be laid out to the patient as well as their family members. A fatal brain disease is not something that should be taken lightly and these patients should have knowledge of this disease before it progresses too much that they do not know what is happening to them. Patients and their families may want to plan trips or create memory books together, for the later stages of the disease. If the patient is unaware of the diagnosis they may miss out on getting to do certain things or make arrangements that they would have made, if they were aware of their diagnoses. Yes, it is a sensitive subject, as is a diagnosis of cancer, but it will allow everyone to be more prepared and comfortable with the care they are receiving. I believe OT could assist in this dilemma by possibly having educational meetings with the diagnosing physician on ways to deliver the news or to collaborate with the whole range of healthcare professionals that will be taking care of the patient to prep them on what they will be doing to help them and what to expect. OT can help with activities such as putting a memory book together or how to make reminders that are safe and reliable for the patient. We may also be able to assist in discussing future planning with the patients and their families as well as utilize our therapeautic use of self to put them at ease during this rough time. If you want to listen to the whole discussion, I've included the link below. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=394927484" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=394927484</a></div>

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