Evaluation of the disclosure process of borderline personality disorder diagnosis: clinical audit in an outpatient team for young adults

Introduction: Borderline personality disorder is a commonly encountered disorder in psychiatry. This diagnosis is rarely given despite the benefits of its disclosure. Recommendations concerning diagnosis disclosure in psychiatry have recently been published. An analysis of the disclosure process in an outpatient team for young adults enables the identification of areas for improvement in this process, as well as nursing actions to facilitate health-illness transitions. Method: A clinical audit was conducted through a study involving a retrospective quantitative section based on an analysis of the computerized patient file and a qualitative section based on interviews with the team’s nurses. Results: Of the 11 cases included, none met all 16 quality criteria. The patient’s abilities were taken into consideration in 100% of cases. The criteria concerning the presence of the patient’s family were rarely respected. The nurses’ own skills made it easier to support the patient during the diagnosis announcement. Discussion: Conflicts between the patient and their family explain the difficulties encountered. The nursing actions carried out in this process are in line with those proposed by Meleis in her transitions theory. The actions proposed to improve practices will have to be evaluated.