Perceptions of Memory Problems Among Patients and Their Next of kin at a Memory Center

Abstract

Background: In the context of clinical assessment of memory complaints (MCs), the process of disclosing a diagnosis is of major importance since it is known to influence disease acceptance of patients and their next of kin. Based on the Common Sense Model (CSM, Leventhal et al. 1997), this study aims to prospectively examine memory problem perceptions of patients with memory complaints and their next of kin during the diagnostic process, namely before and after diagnosis disclosure. Methods: We plan to recruit 125 patients with MCs who are seen for the first time at the Research and Resources Memory Center in Nancy, France. This study includes 4 visits during which patients and their next of kin are evaluated for memory problem perceptions (French adaptation of the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Memory IPQ-M, Hurt et al. 2010), anxiety, depression, quality of life and coping strategies. Findings: Results from the pilot study show that the CSM is applicable in MCs and early stage dementia and reveal a typical profile for first-visit patients at a memory center. Discussion: We anticipate that the use of IPQ-M will help gain insight into how patients and their next of kin cope with memory problems.