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Toward compassionate communication: a rapid review on facilitating the dementia disclosure process
Alixe Ménard, Emily Clark, Leah Hagerman, Maureen Dobbins, Eric Edward Smith, Isabelle Vedel, L. H. Chambers, Ngozi Iroanyah et al.. Alzheimer s & Dementia, 2025-08-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Individuals with dementia and their care partners often report dissatisfaction with the disclosure process due to insufficient information and support. Healthcare providers face challenges in effective communication and connecting patients to post-diagnostic resources. To address these issues and emphasize person-centered communication, especially in diverse communities, we conducted a rapid systematic review consolidating preferences for dementia diagnosis disclosure from patients, care partners, and healthcare providers. Searches across MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Emcare (January 2013-February 2023), and gray literature identified 21 relevant articles, including those focusing on Black and Chinese populations. Four themes emerged: (1) setting up appointments, (2) appointment content, (3) overall approach, and (4) cultural competence in dementia disclosure. The Setting, Perception, Invitation, Knowledge, Emotions, and Strategy/Summary (SPIKES)-D tool was noted but lacked real-world evaluations and cultural applicability. Our review highlights the need for tailored tools and standardized guidelines, particularly for culturally competent dementia disclosure practices. HIGHLIGHTS: More than 50% of individuals globally express dissatisfaction with dementia diagnosis disclosure. Primary care providers face significant challenges in communicating dementia diagnoses effectively. Adoption of person-centered approaches is critical in improving dementia disclosure practices.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Ménard, A., Clark, E., Hagerman, L., Dobbins, M., Smith, E. E., Vedel, I., et al. (2025). Toward compassionate communication: a rapid review on facilitating the dementia disclosure process. Alzheimer s & Dementia. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70466
Vancouver
Ménard A, Clark E, Hagerman L, Dobbins M, Smith EE, Vedel I, et al. Toward compassionate communication: a rapid review on facilitating the dementia disclosure process. Alzheimer s & Dementia. 2025. doi:10.1002/alz.70466. PMID: 40779425.
BibTeX
@article{menard2025-40779425,
author = {Ménard, Alixe and Clark, Emily and Hagerman, Leah and Dobbins, Maureen and Smith, Eric Edward and Vedel, Isabelle and Chambers, L. H. and Iroanyah, Ngozi and others},
title = {{Toward compassionate communication: a rapid review on facilitating the dementia disclosure process}},
journal = {Alzheimer s \& Dementia},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1002/alz.70466},
pmid = {40779425},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70466}
}
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Key findings
- Four themes emerged: (1) setting up appointments, (2) appointment content, (3) overall approach, and (4) cultural competence in dementia disclosure.
- Primary care providers face significant challenges in communicating dementia diagnoses effectively.
Why it matters
This rapid review found that many individuals are dissatisfied with the dementia diagnosis disclosure process and that healthcare providers face challenges in communication. It addresses improving disclosure practices, not treating, curing, or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Study designsystematic review
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 55/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a systematic review of all the studies on the question. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Alzheimer s & Dementia) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Alzheimer s & Dementia: journal h-index 228 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A systematic review of all the studies on the question |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 4 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 1.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.5× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 4 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Sarah H. Main: h-index 8 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | University of Toronto: institution h-index 1,923 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 9 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40779425) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 55 / 100 | — |
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