The CLEAR Toolkit is a new resource referenced in Table 2 of the recent PBLP module Dementia: Along the Trajectory. It is designed to address the communication challenges health care providers face when disclosing a dementia diagnosis. This toolkit helps clinicians understand and respect different cultures when they explain a dementia diagnosis.
Developed in response to the Public Health Agency of Canada’s request for evidence-based dementia care guidelines, the CLEAR Toolkit was crafted through a collaborative effort involving the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Alzheimer Society of Canada, and members of the Canadian Consensus Conferences on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia. The development process integrated a systematic review of medical literature with findings from small group discussions designed to elicit the views of patients, care partners, and health care providers.
The toolkit describes how to prepare for the initial meeting with the patient and what to discuss during the meeting itself. These practices focus on holistic engagement, fostering hope, acknowledging the role of care partners, and ensuring communication is culturally competent. Building trust and encouraging shared decision-making are central to the toolkit’s philosophy.
As a comprehensive resource for health care providers from various disciplines, the CLEAR Toolkit advocates for compassionate communication that addresses not only the medical diagnostic aspects of dementia but also the emotional and social needs of patients and their families. Its aim is to enhance the quality of care and support for those living with dementia, thereby improving health outcomes and enriching quality of life.
The toolkit can be accessed by clicking here.
Note: CLEAR = Compassionate Language and Empathetic Approaches for Respectful Dementia Disclosure