Health professionals are unaware of anosognosia

Abstract

“Implicit awareness” may be inferred from compliance with medical treatment, even when the patient explicitly denies the need for treatment. Such compliance may cause medics and other health professionals to underestimate the frequency of anosognosia and its effects on the lives of patients and carers. We report survey data showing that health professionals do indeed consider anosognosia following stroke to be relatively uncommon and unimportant, in contrast with evidence on its true frequency and impact. Mograbi and Morris’ emphasis on the distinction between implicit and explicit awareness may promote increased recognition of anosognosia amongst health professionals.