Study protocol
A trial platform to develop a tailored theory-based intervention to improve professional practice in the disclosure of a diagnosis of dementia: Study protocol [ISRCTN15871014]
1 Centre for Health Services Research, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 21 Claremont Place Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
2 Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
3 Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust, North Tyneside General Hospital, Rake Lane, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, UK
4 School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen, William Guild Building, King's College Aberdeen, UK
Implementation Science 2006, 1:7 doi:10.1186/1748-5908-1-7
Published: 31 March 2006Abstract
Background
For people with dementia, care should include an explanation of the diagnosis to individuals and their carers, and information about the likely prognosis and possible packages of care. However, this is neither routine nor inevitable, and there is wide variation in the practice of disclosure. The aim of this study is to develop a tailored theory-based intervention to promote appropriate disclosure of diagnosis of dementia.
Methods
There are three objectives. Objective 1 is to define and develop an appropriate model of disclosure; this will be addressed using a multidisciplinary consensus development process. Objective 2 is to identify factors that influence disclosure of diagnosis; a questionnaire based upon theoretical constructs from a range of behavioural theories will be developed and members of old age mental health teams will be surveyed. The analysis will identify those factors that best predict intention to disclose a diagnosis to a person with dementia. Objective 3 is to develop and pilot test a theory-based intervention to promote disclosure of diagnosis that targets attitudes, beliefs and actions most amenable to change. Objective 3 will use the results of Objectives 1&2 to design and pilot test an intervention to improve the process of and increase the proportion of individuals receiving a diagnosis of dementia, for members of old age mental health teams. This work will lead to a proposal for a randomised controlled trial of the intervention.
