Why attend a memory clinic? What do patients and their families want and/or expect?

To explore which symptoms led people to seek a memory clinic assessment and what they wanted and expected from that assessment. Did the patient and family want and/or expect diagnostic disclosure and, if so, why?

Patients scheduled for memory clinic appoint-ments received two questionnaires by post prior to clinic attendance - one for the patient, one for the next-of- kin - regarding symptomatology, wants, expectations and rationale.

Ninety-two per cent of patients (n = 47) and 88% (n = 43) of next-of-kin wanted the patient to be informed of the diagnosis; 84% (n = 43) of patients and 86% (n = 42) of next-of-kin expected the patient to be informed. Rationales for diagnostic disclosure were categorised under themes of planning, treatment, information, coping strategies and rights.

Patients and families want diagnostic disclosure in order to plan, receive treatment, receive help and learn strategies to cope. This knowledge is seen as the patient's right.