Practitioners' processes and attitudes involved in the diagnosis of cognitive impairment

Abstract

The present study sought to build on the findings of Mitchell, Woodward and Hirose (2008) who first examined the subject of practitioner attitudes towards disclosure of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Australia and New Zealand. 57 New Zealand based practitioners completed an online questionnaire relating to how they reach a diagnosis of cognitive impairment and factors considered when relaying a diagnosis to a client. The findings indicate that 83% of practitioners directly labelled MCI during diagnosis disclosure. All qualitative responses were analysed using traditional content analysis. This study adds to the field of ethics and diagnostic disclosure in that it highlights what specific factors are considered when a practitioner chooses how to relay a diagnosis to their client, such as the presence of other illnesses, the specific wishes of the client and that the family should at least know if the client doesn't.