BMJ  2004;329:797 (2 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7469.797-a

Filler

A memorable patient

Beating the test

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

An 89 year old woman with dementia is currently being managed in the community with six monthly visits from the community elderly mental health nurse and intensive family support. She is vivacious and intelligent and still regularly attempts the Daily Telegraph crossword, having previously held a prestigious position in the City of London. Her short term memory has recently deteriorated, and she depends on her diary for keeping appointments and knowing people's contact details.

We were therefore surprised to learn that she regularly receives high marks in the Folstein mini-mental state examination, which she completes during the visits from the mental health nurse. We were determined to discover the reason for this apparent anomaly.

It became clear that at the end of every visit by the nurse, while making the appointment for the next visit, the patient would record the correct answers to the mini-mental test in her diary. Just . . . [Full text of this article]

Jonathan R Osborn, research fellow

Midwest Urology Research Foundation, Chicago, IL, USA (jonathanosborn@doctors.net.uk),

Yvette G M Coldicott, senior house officer

accident and emergency department, Royal United Hospital, Bath


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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

This isn't cheating, you know -- recommend it!
Hank Roberts
bmj.com, 30 Sep 2004 [Full text]
The price of memory
Elisabeth Paice
bmj.com, 3 Oct 2004 [Full text]
Beating the test
Brian T. Stephens
bmj.com, 4 Oct 2004 [Full text]
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