Communicating neuropsychological assessment results: a qualitative study in Dutch memory clinic professionals

Experienced clinicians in Dutch memory clinics reported that communicating neuropsychological assessment results involves more than presenting test scores. In a qualitative study, physicians and psychologists described tailoring discussions to patients and informal caregivers, adapting explanations to recipients’ characteristics, informational needs and emotional responses. They also regarded disease acceptance as a process extending beyond the memory clinic, while acknowledging that diagnostic disclosures may shape patients’ early understanding and adjustment.

The research, published in BMC Geriatrics , examined clinicians’ views on what, how and why neuropsychological assessment results are communicated. The investigators conducted two focus groups with physicians and two focus groups with psychologists. Participants were experienced clinicians working in Dutch memory clinics, and two independent researchers analysed the accounts using deductive thematic content analysis.

This design explored professional perspectives through qualitative discussion; it did not measure patient outcomes or establish whether any particular communication strategy improves understanding, disease acceptance or clinical care. Participants described neuropsychological assessments as central to memory-clinic diagnostics and closely integrated with other diagnostic tests. Because these assessments provide detailed information about cognitive functioning and daily life, clinicians said they use the results as part of a broader diagnostic explanation rather than communicating them in isolation.

Their accounts emphasized personalized, structured disclosure, with strategies aimed at helping recipients understand the findings and manage emotional responses. The findings show that clinicians view neuropsychological assessment not only as a diagnostic instrument but also as a resource for matching communication to the people receiving the results. Clinicians also placed the disclosure within a wider process.

Although they saw disease acceptance as extending beyond the memory clinic, they recognized that communication during the diagnostic or neuropsychological disclosure may influence how patients first understand and adjust to information about a possible neurodegenerative disease. The authors conclude that optimizing how results are conveyed may improve patient understanding and the quality of memory-clinic care.

Subject of Research: How Dutch memory-clinic professionals communicate neuropsychological assessment results to patients and informal caregivers

Article Title: Communicating neuropsychological assessment results: a qualitative study in Dutch memory clinic professionals

Article References: Stolte, M., Dobbe, J. H. M., Visser, L. N. C., Smets, E., Jansen, W. J., de Vugt, M., & Ramakers, I. (2026). Communicating neuropsychological assessment results: a qualitative study in Dutch memory clinic professionals. BMC Geriatrics. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-026-08529-w

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12877-026-08529-w

Keywords: neuropsychological assessment, memory clinics, diagnostic communication, patient understanding, caregiver communication, disease acceptance, qualitative research, focus groups, cognitive functioning, Dutch clinicians, Communicating, neuropsychological