Practices Scenarios (Empathy)

Question 1

You are faced with an actor playing a 65-year-old man who has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He is coming to his GP for advice on how to cope with his diagnosis, as he has heard a lot of stigma over the years about dementia and its burden on both his family and the healthcare service. While talking to you, he breaks down into tears.

Answer 1

Tips and targets to hit:

1) Console the patient in an empathetic way

2) Advise him on latest developments e.g. assistive technology

3) Advise him to join support groups e.g. Alzheimer’s Society

4) Reassure him that there is less stigma about dementia now than in the past