Towards diagnostic conversational profiles of patients presenting with dementia or functional memory disorders to memory clinics

摘要: Abstract Objective This study explores whether the profile of patients’ interactional behaviour in memory clinic conversations with a doctor can contribute to clinical differentiation between functional disorders (FMD) and problems related neurodegenerative diseases. Methods Conversation Analysis video recordings neurologists’ interactions patients attending specialist clinic. “Gold standard” diagnoses were made independently CA findings by multi-disciplinary team based on assessment, neuropsychological testing brain imaging. Results Two discrete conversational profiles for complaints emerged, including (i) who attends (i.e., or not are accompanied), (ii) responses questions about problems, such as difficulties compound providing specific elaborated examples frequent “I don’t know” responses. Conclusion Specific communicative characteristic interaction patterns pathology. Those manifest neurologists, thereby helping differentiate dementia from those FMD. Practical implications Our demonstrate that contributions encounters have diagnostic potential assist screening referral process primary care, service secondary care.