ABSTRACT
In 2001 the National Alzheimer’s Association commissioned a survey to evaluate caregiver’s and
physician’s perceptions of communication during clinic visits. The survey reported that 52% of
caregivers want to know the effect of the disease on the patient’s ability to do daily tasks and how to
cope while only 28% report that the doctor had provided this information. Physicians agreed that
caregivers need this type of information (85%) and 91% of the physicians said they provide this
information. The Alzheimer’s Association survey reported numerous other disconnects between
what physicians said they provided and what caregivers said they received. This schism in
perceptions represents difficulties in communication and problem identification (1).
