Clinical decision-making: physicians' preferences and experiences

Comparing Nephrologists' Self-Reported Decision-Making Skills and Treatment Attitudes With Their Patients' Experiences of Making Kidney Therapy Decisions and Receiving Nephrology Care

BACKGROUND

Dialysis is often initiated in the United States without exploring patients' preferred decision-making style, and conservative kidney management (CKM) is infrequently presented. To improve kidney therapy (KT) decision-making, research on nephrologists' comfort with various decision-making styles, attitudes towards CKM, and reports of patients' lived experiences with KT decision-making is needed.

METHODS

We surveyed 28 nephrologists and 58 of their patients aged ≥75 years. The nephrologist survey was designed to gauge their comfort levels with decision-making styles and attitudes towards CKM. The patient survey assessed experiences in making KT decisions.

RESULTS

The average age of nephrologists was 43 years, and that of patients was 82 years. Nephrologists rated themselves as comfortable with various decision styles: paternalistic (60.7%), shared decision-making (92.8%), and patient-driven decision-making (67.8%). Nearly 57% of nephrologists felt challenged or were neutral in determining CKM's suitability, and 39% reported difficulties in discussing CKM with patients or were neutral. Only 38 % of patients recalled discussing CKM with their nephrologists, and a minority reported discussing CKM-related topics such as life expectancy (24.7%), quality of life (QOL) (45.1%), and end-of-life care (17.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Most nephrologists displayed comfort with various decision-making styles; however, many described difficulties in guiding patients toward CKM. In contrast, patients reported gaps in vital aspects of KT decision-making and CKM choices, such as discussions of life expectancy, QOL, and end-of-life care. Raising awareness of blind spots in decision-making skills and educating nephrologists in KT decision-making to include CKM and other person-centered aspects of care are needed.

Harnessing innovation to help meet the needs of elders: field testing an electronic tool to streamline geriatric assessments across healthcare settings

BACKGROUND

As populations age globally, effectively managing geriatric health poses challenges for primary care. Comprehensive geriatric assessments (CGAs) aim to address these challenges through multidisciplinary screening and coordinated care planning. However, most CGA tools and workflows have not been optimised for routine primary care delivery.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a computerised CGA tool, called the Golden Age Visit, implemented in primary care in Israel.

METHODS

This study employed a quasiexperimental mixed-methods design to evaluate outcomes associated with the Golden Age electronic health assessment tool. Quantitative analysis used electronic medical records data from Maccabi Healthcare Services, the second largest health management organisation (HMO) in Israel. Patients aged 75 and older were included in analyses from January 2017 to December 2019 and January 2021 to December 2022. For patients, data were also collected on controls who did not participate in the Golden Age Visit programme during the same time period, to allow for comparison of outcomes. For physicians, qualitative data were collected via surveys and interviews with primary care physicians who used the Golden Age Visit SMARTEST e-assessment tool.

RESULTS

A total of 9022 community-dwelling adults aged 75 and older were included in the study: 1421 patients received a Golden Age Visit CGA (intervention group), and 7601 patients did not receive the assessment (control group). After CGAs, diagnosis rates increased significantly for neuropsychiatric conditions and falls. Referrals to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics and geriatric outpatient clinics also rose substantially. However, no differences were found in rates of hip fracture or relocation to long-term care between groups. Surveys among physicians (n=151) found high satisfaction with the programme.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of a large-scale primary care CGA programme was associated with improved diagnosis and management of geriatric conditions. Physicians were also satisfied, suggesting good uptake and feasibility within usual care. Further high-quality studies are still needed but these results provide real-world support for proactively addressing geriatric health needs through structured screening models.

Physicians' Perspectives on the Impact of Insurance Status on Clinical Decision-Making in Saudi Arabia

Background The decision-making process in clinical practice depends heavily on collaboration and information sharing. Physicians' decision-making processes are profoundly influenced by the patient's insurance status, which warrants focused investigation. Hence, this study aimed to investigate how physicians perceive the influence of insurance status on treatment options and medical interventions and to explore the extent to which physicians discuss insurance-related considerations with patients during the shared decision-making process. Methodology This was a cross-sectional exploratory study conducted in various healthcare facilities all over Saudi Arabia. The electronic questionnaire was the primary tool for data collection. Data were then coded, entered, and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results The study involved 430 physicians, primarily male (n = 230, 53.5%), aged 31-40 years (n = 215, 50%), and mostly non-Saudi (n = 285, 66.3%). Medical officers constituted the majority of the study population (n = 258, 60%), with one to five years of experience (n = 187, 43.5%), and engaged in private practice (n = 230, 70%). Concerning insurance, 287 (66.7%) physicians considered patient's insurance when discussing treatment options, while 318 (74%) physicians discussed the financial implications of different treatment options with the patients. Regarding outcomes, 373 (86.7%) physicians believed that insurance status affected patient outcomes and treatment modalities. Significant factors, such as age between 31 and 40 years (P < 0.001), over 10 years of clinical experience (P = 0.002), engagement in both governmental and private practice (P = 0.012), and being a medical officer (P = 0.005), demonstrated a high impact on the insurance status influencing clinical decision-making. Overall, recognizing the influence of insurance on decision-making is crucial for equitable healthcare. Conclusions More than half of the physicians demonstrated high scores indicating the impact of insurance status on the clinical decision-making process. This impact was influenced by specific physician parameters such as age, experience, specialty, and type of practice. Moreover, the financial situation and insurance status of the patients significantly affected treatment and patient outcomes.

Understanding what matters to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients when considering treatment options: A US patient preference survey

BACKGROUND

Understanding how patients perceive the efficacy, safety, and administrative burden of treatments for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) can facilitate shared-decision making for optimal management. This study sought to elicit patient preferences for mCRPC treatments in the US.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey using the discrete-choice experiment method. Participants were asked to state their choices over successive sets of treatment alternatives, defined by varying levels of treatment attributes: overall survival (OS), months until patients develop a fracture or bone metastasis, likelihood of requiring radiation to control bone pain, fatigue, nausea, and administration (i.e., oral/IV injection/IV infusion). Using mixed logit models, we determined the value (i.e., preference weights) that respondents placed on each attribute. Relative attribute importance (RAI) and marginal rates of substitution (MRS) were calculated to understand patients' willingness to make tradeoffs among different attributes.

RESULTS

The final data set numbered 160 participants, with a mean age of 71.6 years old and a mean of 8.96 years since prostate cancer diagnosis. Participants' treatment preferences were as follows: OS (RAI: 31%), bone pain control (23%), nausea (16%), delaying fracture or bone metastasis (15%), fatigue (11%), and administration (3%). The MRS demonstrated that respondents were willing to trade 1.9 months of OS to eliminate moderate nausea and 3.3 months of OS for a reduction in fatigue from severe to mild.

CONCLUSIONS

Improving OS is the highest priority for patients with mCRPC, but they are willing to trade some survival to reduce the risk of requiring radiation to control bone pain, delay a fracture or bone metastasis, and experience less severe nausea and fatigue.

User-Centered Design of a Clinical Tool for Shared Decision-making About Diet in Primary Care

BACKGROUND

Health information technology is a leading cause of clinician burnout and career dissatisfaction, often because it is poorly designed by nonclinicians who have limited knowledge of clinicians' information needs and health care workflow.

OBJECTIVE

Describe how we engaged primary care clinicians and their patients in an iterative design process for a software application to enhance clinician-patient diet discussions.

DESIGN

Descriptive study of the steps followed when involving clinicians and their at-risk patients in the design of the content, layout, and flow of an application for collaborative dietary goal setting. This began with individual clinician and patient interviews to detail the desired informational content of the screens displayed followed by iterative reviews of intermediate and final versions of the program and its outputs.

PARTICIPANTS

Primary care clinicians practicing in an urban federally qualified health center and two academic primary care clinics, and their patients who were overweight or obese with diet-sensitive conditions.

MAIN MEASURES

Descriptions of the content, format, and flow of information from pre-visit dietary history to the display of evidence-based, guideline-driven suggested goals to final display of dietary goals selected, with information on how the patient might reach them and patients' confidence in achieving them.

KEY RESULTS

Through three iterations of design and review, there was substantial evolution of the program's content, format, and flow of information. This involved "tuning" of the information desired: from too little, to too much, to the right amount displayed that both clinicians and patients believed would facilitate shared dietary goal setting.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians' well-founded criticisms of the design of health information technology can be mitigated by involving them and their patients in the design of such tools that clinicians may find useful, and use, in their everyday medical practice.

Ambivalence toward euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide has decreased among physicians in Finland

Background

Debates around euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) are ongoing around the globe. Public support has been mounting in Western countries, while some decline has been observed in the USA and Eastern Europe. Physicians’ support for euthanasia and PAS has been lower than that of the general public, but a trend toward higher acceptance among physicians has been seen in recent years. The aim of this study was to examine the current attitudes of Finnish physicians toward euthanasia and PAS and whether there have been changes in these attitudes over three decades.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was conducted with all Finnish physicians of working age in 2020 and the results were compared to previous studies conducted in 1993, 2003 and 2013.

Results

The proportions of physicians fully agreeing and fully disagreeing with the legalization of euthanasia increased from 1993 to 2020 (from 5 to 25%, p < 0.001, and from 30 to 34%, p < 0.001, respectively). The number of physicians, who expressed no opinion for or against euthanasia (cannot say) decreased from 19 to 5% (p < 0.001) during the same period. The proportion of physicians having no opinion (cannot say) of whether a physician should be punished for assisting in a suicide decreased from 20 to 10% (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study shows that Finnish physicians’ ambivalence toward euthanasia and PAS has decreased. The ongoing debate has probably forced physicians to form more solid opinions on these matters. Our study highlights that attitudes toward euthanasia and PAS are still divided within the medical profession.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12910-022-00810-y.

Correlation analysis between physicians' evaluations of doctor-patient relationship and their preferences for shared decision-making in China

Shared decision-making (SDM) is a scientific and reasonable decision-making model. However, whether physicians choose SDM is usually influenced by many factors. It is not clear whether the strained doctor-patient relationship will affect physicians' willingness to choose SDM. Through a survey by questionnaire, 304 physicians' evaluations of doctor-patient relationship (DPR) were quantified by the difficult DPR questionnaire-8. Their preferences for SDM and the reasons were also evaluated. The correlation between physicians' evaluations of DPR and their preferences for SDM were analyzed. 84.5% physicians perceived DPR as poor or strained, 53.3% physicians preferred SDM, mainly because of the influences of medical ethics and social desirability bias. Their preferences for SDM were not significantly correlated with their evaluations of DPR (P > 0.05). Physicians with different evaluations of DPR (good, poor, and strained) all had similar preferences for SDM (42.6, 56.4, and 42.9%), with no significant difference (P > 0.05). There was no correlation between physicians' evaluations of DPR and their preferences for SDM. Physicians' evaluations of poor DPR did not affect their preferences for SDM. This may be influenced by the medical ethics and social desirability bias.

The development of incorpoRATE: A measure of physicians' willingness to incorporate shared decision making into practice

OBJECTIVES

To develop 'incorpoRATE', a brief and broadly applicable measure of physicians' willingness to incorporate shared decision making (SDM) into practice.

METHODS

incorpoRATE was developed across three phases: 1) A review of relevant literature to inform candidate domain and item development, 2) Cognitive interviews with US physicians to iteratively refine the measure, and 3) Pilot testing of the measure across a larger sample of US physicians to explore item and measure performance.

RESULTS

The final measure consists of seven items that assess physician perspectives on various components of SDM use that may present as barriers in practice. During pilot testing, the majority of physicians expressed positive opinions about the overall concept of SDM, yet were less comfortable acting on informed patient choices when there was known incongruence with their own recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

incorpoRATE is a novel physician-reported measure that assesses physicians' willingness to incorporate SDM in practice.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

incorpoRATE has the potential to help us further understand the limited adoption of SDM and areas of focus for improving the use of SDM in the future. We recommend that incorpoRATE be subject to further psychometric, real-world testing, in order to explore its performance across different samples of physicians and organizations.

Communication patterns in the doctor-patient relationship: evaluating determinants associated with low paternalism in Mexico

BACKGROUND

Paternalism/overprotection limits communication between healthcare professionals and patients and does not promote shared therapeutic decision-making. In the global north, communication patterns have been regulated to promote autonomy, whereas in the global south, they reflect the physician's personal choices. The goal of this study was to contribute to knowledge on the communication patterns used in clinical practice in Mexico and to identify the determinants that favour a doctor-patient relationship characterized by low paternalism/autonomy.

METHODS

A self-report study on communication patterns in a sample of 761 mental healthcare professionals in Central and Western Mexico was conducted. Multiple ordinal logistic regression models were used to analyse paternalism and associated factors.

RESULTS

A high prevalence (68.7% [95% CI 60.0-70.5]) of paternalism was observed among mental health professionals in Mexico. The main determinants of low paternalism/autonomy were medical specialty (OR 1.67 [95% CI 1.16-2.40]) and gender, with female physicians being more likely to explicitly share diagnoses and therapeutic strategies with patients and their families (OR 1.57 [95% CI 1.11-2.22]). A pattern of highly explicit communication was strongly associated with low paternalism/autonomy (OR 12.13 [95% CI 7.71-19.05]). Finally, a modifying effect of age strata on the association between communication pattern or specialty and low paternalism/autonomy was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Among mental health professionals in Mexico, high paternalism prevailed. Gender, specialty, and a pattern of open communication were closely associated with low paternalism/autonomy. Strengthening health professionals' competencies and promoting explicit communication could contribute to the transition towards more autonomist communication in clinical practice in Mexico. The ethical implications will need to be resolved in the near future.

Do Physicians' Attitudes towards Patient-Centered Communication Promote Physicians' Intention and Behavior of Involving Patients in Medical Decisions?

Promoting patient-centered communication among physicians is one core strategy for improving physician-patient relationships and patient outcomes. Our study aims to understand the physicians' attitudes towards patient-centered communication and its effects on physicians' intention and behavior of involving patients in medical decisions in primary care in China. One cross-sectional study was conducted in primary facilities in Hubei province, China, from December 2019 to January 2020, where physicians' attitudes towards patient-centered communication were measured by the Chinese-revised patient-practitioner orientation scale. Multilevel ordinal logistic regression was conducted for estimating the effects of physicians' attitudes on their intention and behavior of patient involvement in medical decisions. Six hundred and seventeen physicians were investigated for the main study. Physicians had a medium score of patient-centered communication (3.78, SD = 0.56), with relatively high caring subscale score (4.59, SD = 0.64), and low sharing subscale score (3.09, SD = 0.75). After controlling physicians' covariates, physicians' attitudes towards patient-centered communication was significantly associated with a higher intention of involving patients in medical decisions (OR > 1, p = 0.020). Physicians' positive attitudes towards patient-centered communication affected their intention of involving patients in medical decisions, which implies the importance of taking the physicians' attitudes into account for the accomplishment of patient involvement processes.

Compulsory admissions and preferences in decision-making in patients with psychotic and bipolar disorders

PURPOSE

Participation in medical decisions and taking into account patients' values and preferences are especially important for psychiatric patients who may be treated against their will. The increasing rates of coercive measures and the underlying clinical, ethical, and legal issues highlight the need to examine their use in psychiatry. Although limited congruence in decision-making preferences may be on the basis of these coercive practices, this issue has not been adequately addressed. We explore the relationship between compulsory admissions and congruence in decision-making preferences in mental health settings.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study among 107 outpatients with DSM diagnoses of schizophrenia of bipolar disorder using the Control Preference Scale to assess congruence in decision-making experienced and preferred style. History of compulsory admissions was obtained through review of available records. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses were used.

RESULTS

70% of patients reported experiencing their preferred style of decision-making and 44% patients had history of compulsory admissions. These patients were more autonomous and preferred to take a more active role. The degree of congruence was lower in patients with previous compulsory admissions. The best predictors of compulsory admissions were not having a regular doctor and the unmatched participation preferences.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who experienced a different level of participation in decision-making than desired more frequently had compulsory admissions. We propose to assess participation preferences each time a relevant treatment decision is about to be made and tailor care accordingly. We identified several factors leading to compulsory admissions that can be modified to prevent further coercive measures.

Shared decision making: Physicians' preferred role, usual role and their perception of its key components

OBJECTIVE

To investigate physicians' preferred and usual roles in decision making in medical consultations, and their perception of shared decision making (SDM).

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of 785 physicians in a large Dutch general teaching hospital was undertaken in June 2018, assessing their preferred and usual decision making roles (Control Preference Scale), and their view on SDM key components (SDMQ9 questionnaire).

RESULTS

Most physicians (n = 232, 58%) preferred SDM, but more often performed paternalistic decision making (n = 121, 31%) in daily practice than they preferred (n = 80, 20%, p < 0.0001), most commonly because they judged the patient to be incapable of participating in decision making. Most physicians preferring SDM presented different options for treatment (n = 213, 92%) with their advantages and disadvantages (n = 209, 90%) but fewer made clear that a decision had to be made (n = 104, 45%) or explored the patient's wish how to be involved in decision making (n = 80, 34%).

CONCLUSION

Although most physicians prefer SDM, they often revert to a paternalistic approach and tend to limit SDM to discussing treatment options.

PRACTICE IMPLICATION

Teaching physicians in SDM should include raising awareness about discussing the decision process itself and help physicians to counter their tendency to revert to paternalistic decision making in daily practice.

Empathy and Attending to Patient Religion/Spirituality: Findings from a National Survey of Muslim Physicians

Attending to patient religion and spirituality (R/S) generates controversy. Some worry that because physicians lack formal religious training they may overstep their expertise, while others argue that physicians who are attentive to patient R/S provide higher quality of care. We aimed to describe American Muslim physicians' perspectives and practices regarding R/S discussions, and how physician characteristics correlate with these. A questionnaire including measures of religiosity, empathy, and attitudes and behaviors toward R/S, was randomly administered to Islamic Medical Association of North America members. More empathetic physicians were more likely to inquire about patients' R/S, share their own religious ideas and experiences, and encourage patients in their own R/S beliefs and practices (β = .44, p < .01). More empathetic physicians also had greater odds of encouraging discontinuation of futile life-sustaining interventions (OR 1.90, p < .05). Additionally, respondents with higher empathy had greater odds of encouraging patients at the end-of-life to seek reconciliation with God (OR 3.27, p < .001), and seek the forgiveness of those they have wronged (OR 2.48, p < .001). In the context of R/S diversity among the patient and provider population, enhancing physician empathy may be key to attending to the health-related R/S needs of patients.

Emancipatory reflection on a nursing practice-based ethical issue about nurses’ paternalistic decision-making for patients

Objective

This study aimed to demonstrate and promote the skill of critical emancipatory reflection through reflecting on a nursing practice-based ethical issue about nurses’ paternalistic decision-making for patients. Meanwhile, critical awareness will be developed and the underlying issues of paternalism in nursing decision-making will be analyzed. Then, by applying the procedure, improvement in nursing decision-making practice will be expected.

Methods

Taylor’s model of emancipatory reflection with four steps, including construction, deconstruction, confrontation, and reconstruction, is utilized to guide the author’s reflection.

Results

Guided by the socialization theory, the author’s personal and professional socialization is seen to be associated with the formation of the value of paternalism. The theory of reflexivity is applied to unearth the related issues, including deeper personal value, work environment, as well as historical and cultural contexts. Moreover, the power derived from policy, work relationship, and nursing administration, which could induce paternalism in the author’s nursing decision-making practice, was critically debated using the hegemony theory. Finally, new insights into paternalism will be achieved, which enable change in terms of how to facilitate patients’ autonomous decision-making.

Conclusions

The process of refection makes it clear that respecting patients’ right and performing patient-centered caring are the bases to change the paternalism existing in the nursing decision-making practice currently. The reconstruction step assists the author in terms of how to value the patients’ autonomy and balance patients’ safety and choice, rather than being overprotective; carry out risk assessment, and search for strong evidence to counterbalance the positive and negative aspects of risk-taking; communicate with patients appropriately in a manner that they can comprehend; spend more time to explore patients’ preference and choice; make every effort to elevate the patients’ decision-making capacity; implement patient-centered care and shared decision-making in nursing practice; consult with other colleagues and obtain the required support when limitations or challenges exist; try to justify and avoid hidden paternalism behind policy or guidelines; deal with the power in hand well and fairly; and also positively face the powers that constrain the author.

The Development and Evaluation of Personalized Training in Shared Decision-making Skills for Rheumatologists

OBJECTIVE

Many factors influence a patient's preference in engaging in shared decision making (SDM). Several training programs have been developed for teaching SDM to physicians, but none of them focused on the patients' preferences. We developed an SDM training program for rheumatologists with a specific focus on patients' preferences and assessed its effects.

METHODS

A training program was developed, pilot tested, and given to 30 rheumatologists. Immediately after the training and 10 weeks later, rheumatologists were asked to complete a questionnaire to evaluate the training. Patients were asked before and after the training to complete a questionnaire on patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

Ten weeks after the training, 57% of the rheumatologists felt they were capable of estimating the need of patients to engage in SDM, 62% felt their communication skills had improved, and 33% reported they engaged more in SDM. Up to 268 patients were included. Overall, patient satisfaction was high, but there were no statistically significant differences in patient satisfaction before and after the training.

CONCLUSION

The training was received well by the participating rheumatologists. Even in a population of rheumatologists that communicates well, 62% reported improvement. The training program increased awareness about the principles of SDM in patients and physicians, and improved physicians' communicative skills, but did not lead to further improvement in patients' satisfaction, which was already high.

Spanish validation endorsement of SDM-Q-9, a new approach

BACKGROUND

The Shared Decision Making (SDM) model allows the patient to be part of their own disease treatment and control. The translation to Spanish of a questionnaire that measures the patient perception of SDM will allow enlarging the range of its application. However, the essence of the questionnaire can be altered during its translation, which could curb the appreciation of the question and what the question originally asked for. The objective of this study is to evaluate the application of SDM-Q-9 in its psychometric properties, to a Spanish speaking population after its translation process.

METHOD

The questionnaire was given to 76 outpatients who attended a medical control at the hospital. The informed consent process was developed before the patient underwent the physician's evaluation, and the SDM-Q-9 was applied when the patient finished the medical evaluation. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated and its structural validity was verified by the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

RESULTS

The SDM-Q-9 presented reliability and validity according to the following indicators. The internal consistency, measured by Cronbach's alpha, was 0.839 for the whole scale. The EFA showed a bi-dimensional solution, but the CFA indicated that the model with best indices of fit was the one-dimensional solution, excluding the first item. The indices used where: CFI 0.953, RMSEA (IC) 0.076 (0.000-0.134) for model 2, and CFI 0.961, RMSEA 0.071 (0.000-0.132) for model 5 are better.

CONCLUSION

The questionnaire adaptation to the Latin American Spanish language has displayed reliability and validity according to the Cronbach's alpha indicators.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Stress and the Perceived Style of Decision-Making in Clinicians and Patients With Cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Perceived stress and mindfulness can impact medical decision-making in both patients and clinicians. The aim of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional evaluation of the relationships between stress, mindfulness, self-regulation, perceptions of treatment conversations, and decision-making preferences among clinicians. Also, perceptions of treatment conversations and decision-making preferences among patients with cancer were evaluated.

METHODOLOGY

Survey instruments were developed for clinicians and patients incorporating previously published questions and validated instruments. Institutional review board approval was obtained. Patients, physicians, and advanced practice providers from a tertiary referral center were asked to complete surveys. Continuous variables were evaluated for normality and then bivariate relationships between variables were evaluated using χ2, Fisher's exact test, Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel (CMH) row mean scores differ statistic, or Kruskal-Wallis tests, where appropriate. Significance was defined at P < .05. All tests were conducted using SAS v.9.4.

RESULTS

77 patients and 86 clinicians (60.1% and 43% response rates, respectively) participated in the surveys. More clinicians who reported feeling "great/good" said they always/sometimes had enough time to spend with patients (66.1%) compared to those that hardly ever/never had enough time (26.3%), χ2(1, N = 75) = 6.62, P = .0101; CMH row mean scores differ statistic). Interestingly, 40.3% of patients preferred a paternalistic style of decision-making compared to 6.3% of clinicians, χ2(2, N = 146) = 27.46, P < .0001; χ2 test. Higher levels of dispositional mindfulness (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale) were found among clinicians who reported they felt "great/good" (median = 4.5) as compared to those who reported that they were "definitely stressed/stressed out" (3.3), χ2(2, N = 80) = 10.32, P = .0057; Kruskal-Wallis test. Higher levels of emotional self-regulation (Emotional Regulation Questionnaire-Cognitive Reappraisal facet) were found among clinicians who reported they felt "great/good" (median = 31.0) compared to those who reported that they were "definitely stressed/stressed out" (20.0), χ2(2, N = 79) = 8.88, P = .0118; Kruskal-Wallis test.

CONCLUSION

In order to have meaningful conversations about treatment planning, an understanding of mental well-being and its relationship to decision-making preferences is crucial for both oncology patients and clinicians. Our results show that for clinicians, lower perceived stress was associated with higher levels of mindfulness (experiencing the present moment), emotional self-regulation, and spending more time with patients. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

Effect of Diabetes Online Community Engagement on Health Indicators: Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Successful diabetes management requires ongoing lifelong self-care and can require that individuals with diabetes become experts in translating care recommendations into real-life day-to-day diabetes self-care strategies. The diabetes online community comprises multiple websites that include social media sites, blogs, and discussion groups for people with diabetes to chat and exchange information. Online communities can provide disease-specific practical advice and emotional support, allow users to share experiences, and encourage self-advocacy and patient empowerment. However, there has been little research about whether diabetes online community use is associated with better diabetes self-care or quality of life.

Objective

The aim of this study was to survey adults with diabetes who participated in the diabetes online community to better understand and describe who is using the diabetes online community, how they are using it, and whether the use of the diabetes online community was associated with health indicators.

Methods

We recruited adults diagnosed with diabetes who used at least one of 4 different diabetes-related online communities to complete an online survey. Participants’ demographics, reported glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c), health-related quality of life (SF-12v2), level of diabetes self-care (Self-Care Inventory-Revised), and diabetes online community use (level of intensity and engagement) were collected. We examined the relationships between demographics, diabetes online community use, and health indicators (health-related quality of life, self-care, and HbA_1c levels). We used binary logistic regression to determine the extent to which diabetes online community use predicted an HbA_1c <7% or ≥7% after controlling statistically for other variables in the model.

Results

A total of 183 adults participated in this study. Participants were mostly female (71.6%, 131/183), white (95.1%, 174/183), US citizens (82.5%, 151/183), had type 1 diabetes (69.7%, 129/183), with a mean age of 44.7 years (SD 14) and diabetes duration of 18.2 years (SD 14.6). Participants had higher diabetes self-care (P<.001, mean 72.4, SD 12.1) and better health-related quality of life (physical component summary P<.001, mean 64.8, SD 19; mental component summary P<.001, mean 66.6, SD 21.6) when compared with norms for diabetes. Diabetes online community engagement was a strong predictor of A_1c, reducing the odds of having an A_1c ≥7% by 33.8% for every point increase in diabetes online community engagement (0-5). Our data also indicated that study participants are oftentimes (67.2%, 123/183) not informing their healthcare providers about their diabetes online community use even though most (91.2%, 161/181) are seeing their healthcare provider on a regular basis.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that individuals highly engaged with diabetes online community are more likely to have better glycemic levels compared with those with lower engagement. Furthermore, diabetes online community users have high health-related quality of life and diabetes self-care levels. Supplementing usual healthcare activities with diabetes online community use may encourage knowledge and support among a population that needs to optimize its diabetes self-care. Further studies are needed to determine how diabetes online community engagement may affect health outcomes.

Effect of Diabetes Online Community Engagement on Health Indicators: Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Successful diabetes management requires ongoing lifelong self-care and can require that individuals with diabetes become experts in translating care recommendations into real-life day-to-day diabetes self-care strategies. The diabetes online community comprises multiple websites that include social media sites, blogs, and discussion groups for people with diabetes to chat and exchange information. Online communities can provide disease-specific practical advice and emotional support, allow users to share experiences, and encourage self-advocacy and patient empowerment. However, there has been little research about whether diabetes online community use is associated with better diabetes self-care or quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to survey adults with diabetes who participated in the diabetes online community to better understand and describe who is using the diabetes online community, how they are using it, and whether the use of the diabetes online community was associated with health indicators.

METHODS

We recruited adults diagnosed with diabetes who used at least one of 4 different diabetes-related online communities to complete an online survey. Participants' demographics, reported glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c), health-related quality of life (SF-12v2), level of diabetes self-care (Self-Care Inventory-Revised), and diabetes online community use (level of intensity and engagement) were collected. We examined the relationships between demographics, diabetes online community use, and health indicators (health-related quality of life, self-care, and HbA_1c levels). We used binary logistic regression to determine the extent to which diabetes online community use predicted an HbA_1c <7% or ≥7% after controlling statistically for other variables in the model.

RESULTS

A total of 183 adults participated in this study. Participants were mostly female (71.6%, 131/183), white (95.1%, 174/183), US citizens (82.5%, 151/183), had type 1 diabetes (69.7%, 129/183), with a mean age of 44.7 years (SD 14) and diabetes duration of 18.2 years (SD 14.6). Participants had higher diabetes self-care (P<.001, mean 72.4, SD 12.1) and better health-related quality of life (physical component summary P<.001, mean 64.8, SD 19; mental component summary P<.001, mean 66.6, SD 21.6) when compared with norms for diabetes. Diabetes online community engagement was a strong predictor of A_1c, reducing the odds of having an A_1c ≥7% by 33.8% for every point increase in diabetes online community engagement (0-5). Our data also indicated that study participants are oftentimes (67.2%, 123/183) not informing their healthcare providers about their diabetes online community use even though most (91.2%, 161/181) are seeing their healthcare provider on a regular basis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that individuals highly engaged with diabetes online community are more likely to have better glycemic levels compared with those with lower engagement. Furthermore, diabetes online community users have high health-related quality of life and diabetes self-care levels. Supplementing usual healthcare activities with diabetes online community use may encourage knowledge and support among a population that needs to optimize its diabetes self-care. Further studies are needed to determine how diabetes online community engagement may affect health outcomes.

The Desired Role of Health Care Providers in Guiding Older Patients With Distal Radius Fractures: A Qualitative Analysis

PURPOSE

Understanding patient preferences for shared decision making is valuable for surgeons to advance patient-centered care, particularly in cases where there is not a clearly superior treatment option, like distal radius fracture. The existing evidence presents conflicting views on the desired role of the provider among older patients when making medical decisions. We aimed to investigate the perceived versus desired role of the provider in older adult patients with distal radius fracture.

METHODS

Thirty patients (≥62 years old) who had sustained a distal radius fracture within the past 5 years were recruited from the screening process of the Wrist and Radius Injury Surgical Trial at the principal investigator's site using purposive sampling. A trained member of the research team conducted interviews in a semistructured format with the help of an interview guide. Findings were derived following the principles of grounded theory.

RESULTS

Participants experienced varied levels of shared decision making with the hand surgeon. Subjects' perceived role of the surgeon did not always match their desired role. Most patients placed distinct trust in the recommendations of hand specialists regarding the technical aspects of the treatment. Nonetheless, respondents wanted to provide input when decisions pertained to outcomes or functionality. Many patients sought outside support from family or friends in the health care field, regardless of the outside source's medical specialty.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite conflicting evidence, most older adult patients desire a shared approach when making treatment decisions. Exchanging information and preferences on outcomes of each treatment option may be more important to the patient than detailing the specific technical aspects of their care.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

To provide high quality care, surgeons should evaluate the desired role of the patient to make treatment decisions at the start of their interaction. Surgeons must be aware of outside medical influences that guide their patients' decision-making processes.

Shared decision-making in physical therapy: A cross-sectional study on physiotherapists' knowledge, attitudes and self-reported use

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed a) to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported use of shared decision-making (SDM) among physiotherapists in Germany, b) to explore their association with demographic characteristics, and c) to assess barriers to the implementation of SDM.

METHODS

We assessed above mentioned domains using an online survey. Two-level logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with knowledge, attitudes and self-reported use of SDM.

RESULTS

60.5% of a total sample of 357 participants reported to have had no knowledge on SDM before participating in the survey. Attitudes towards SDM were mostly positive, half of all participants expressed a preference for SDM. About two thirds of all participants reported to use a rather paternalistic approach in routine care. Knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported use of SDM were associated with several demographic characteristics.

CONCLUSION

SDM was perceived as an appropriate concept in physiotherapy. However, missing knowledge and limited self-reported use of SDM in routine care on the one hand and positive attitudes towards SDM on the other hand indicate a need for action.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

In order to emphasize the use of SDM in physiotherapy efforts need to be undertaken in research, clinical practice and health policy.

Prescription trends and the selection of initial oral antidiabetic agents for patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: a nationwide study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of patients, physicians, and medical facilities, and their association with prescriptions that do not include metformin as the initial oral antidiabetic agent.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational, cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Patients with incident type 2 diabetes between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2010, were identified from the Taiwan National Insurance Research Database. We describe trends in the initial prescription of antidiabetic medications that do not contain metformin during the study period. A multivariable logistic model and a multilevel linear model were used in the analysis of factors at a range of levels (patient, physician, and medical facility), which may be associated with the selection of oral antidiabetic drugs.

RESULTS

During the study period, the proportion of prescriptions that did not include metformin declined from 43.8% to 26.2%. Male patients were more likely to obtain non-metformin prescriptions (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.23), and the likelihood that a patient would be prescribed a non-metformin prescription increased with age. Physicians aged ≥35 years and those with specialties other than endocrinology tended to prescribe non-metformin prescriptions. Metformin was less commonly prescribed in for-profit hospitals (adjusted OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.11-1.61) and hospitals in smaller cities (adjusted OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.05-1.57) and rural areas (adjusted OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.32-2.54).

CONCLUSIONS

Disparities continue to exist in clinical practice with regard to the treatment of diabetes. These inequalities appear to be linked to a variety of factors related to patients, physicians, and medical facilities. Further study will be required to understand the effects of continuing medical education in enhancing adherence to clinical guidelines.

Evidence for models of diagnostic service provision in the community: literature mapping exercise and focused rapid reviews

Background

Current NHS policy favours the expansion of diagnostic testing services in community and primary care settings.

Objectives

Our objectives were to identify current models of community diagnostic services in the UK and internationally and to assess the evidence for quality, safety and clinical effectiveness of such services. We were also interested in whether or not there is any evidence to support a broader range of diagnostic tests being provided in the community.

Review methods

We performed an initial broad literature mapping exercise to assess the quantity and nature of the published research evidence. The results were used to inform selection of three areas for investigation in more detail. We chose to perform focused reviews on logistics of diagnostic modalities in primary care (because the relevant issues differ widely between different types of test); diagnostic ultrasound (a key diagnostic technology affected by developments in equipment); and a diagnostic pathway (assessment of breathlessness) typically delivered wholly or partly in primary care/community settings. Databases and other sources searched, and search dates, were decided individually for each review. Quantitative and qualitative systematic reviews and primary studies of any design were eligible for inclusion.

Results

We identified seven main models of service that are delivered in primary care/community settings and in most cases with the possible involvement of community/primary care staff. Not all of these models are relevant to all types of diagnostic test. Overall, the evidence base for community- and primary care-based diagnostic services was limited, with very few controlled studies comparing different models of service. We found evidence from different settings that these services can reduce referrals to secondary care and allow more patients to be managed in primary care, but the quality of the research was generally poor. Evidence on the quality (including diagnostic accuracy and appropriateness of test ordering) and safety of such services was mixed.

Conclusions

In the absence of clear evidence of superior clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, the expansion of community-based services appears to be driven by other factors. These include policies to encourage moving services out of hospitals; the promise of reduced waiting times for diagnosis; the availability of a wider range of suitable tests and/or cheaper, more user-friendly equipment; and the ability of commercial providers to bid for NHS contracts. However, service development also faces a number of barriers, including issues related to staffing, training, governance and quality control.

Limitations

We have not attempted to cover all types of diagnostic technology in equal depth. Time and staff resources constrained our ability to carry out review processes in duplicate. Research in this field is limited by the difficulty of obtaining, from publicly available sources, up-to-date information about what models of service are commissioned, where and from which providers.

Future work

There is a need for research to compare the outcomes of different service models using robust study designs. Comparisons of ‘true’ community-based services with secondary care-based open-access services and rapid access clinics would be particularly valuable. There are specific needs for economic evaluations and for studies that incorporate effects on the wider health system. There appears to be no easy way of identifying what services are being commissioned from whom and keeping up with local evaluations of new services, suggesting a need to improve the availability of information in this area.

Funding

The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

Japanese physicians' preferences for decision making in rheumatoid arthritis treatment

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex chronic illness requiring continued medical care. During the past decade, the therapeutic options for RA have increased significantly; these often have a higher risk of adverse effects and are more expensive than traditional drugs. Rheumatologists may hence face difficulties when deciding on the optimal modality in initiating or changing treatment. The aim of this study was to explore the Japanese physicians' usual style of and preferences for decision making regarding RA treatment.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study conducted using an Internet survey. Respondents were asked about their usual style of making treatment decisions (perceived style), and their perception of the importance of physicians' actions and patients' attitudes.

RESULTS

Of the 485 physicians who were sent the questionnaire, 157 responded completely (response rate: 32.3%). Ninety-two percent of the respondents were men, and 57% were clinicians with more than 20 years of experience. Their specialties were general medicine (29%), rheumatology (27%), orthopedics (31%), and rehabilitation (12%). Sixty-one (39%) stated that they usually presented multiple treatment options to their patients and selected a decision for them, 42 (27%) shared the decision making with their patients, 34 (22%) let their patients choose the treatment, and 20 (13%) made the treatment decision for the patients. Physicians using the shared decision making (SDM) style desired for their patients to have supportive family and friends, to discuss with nurses, and to follow the doctors' directions more strongly compared with physicians using the other styles. There were no significant differences in sex, duration of clinical experience, major place of clinical work, and number of patients per month by the styles. More number of rheumatologists and physicians with specialist qualifications stated that they practiced SDM.

CONCLUSION

To enhance patient participation, physicians need to recognize the importance of discussing treatment options with patients in addition to giving them information.

Improving the organisation of maternal health service delivery and optimising childbirth by increasing vaginal birth after caesarean section through enhanced women-centred care (OptiBIRTH trial): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN10612254)

BACKGROUND

The proportion of pregnant women who have a caesarean section shows a wide variation across Europe, and concern exists that these proportions are increasing. Much of the increase in caesarean sections in recent years is due to a cascade effect in which a woman who has had one caesarean section is much more likely to have one again if she has another baby. In some places, it has become common practice for a woman who has had a caesarean section to have this procedure again as a matter of routine. The alternative, vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), which has been widely recommended, results in fewer undesired results or complications and is the preferred option for most women. However, VBAC rates in some countries are much lower than in other countries.

METHODS/DESIGN

The OptiBIRTH trial uses a cluster randomised design to test a specially developed approach to try to improve the VBAC rate. It will attempt to increase VBAC rates from 25 % to 40 % through increased women-centred care and women's involvement in their care. Sixteen hospitals in Germany, Ireland and Italy agreed to join the study, and each hospital was randomly allocated to be either an intervention or a control site.

DISCUSSION

If the OptiBIRTH intervention succeeds in increasing VBAC rates, its application across Europe might avoid the 160,000 unnecessary caesarean sections that occur every year at an extra direct annual cost of more than €150 million.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN10612254 , registered 3 April 2013.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Given the severity of their illness and lack of effective disease-modifying agents, it is not surprising that most patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) consider trying complementary and alternative therapies. Some of the most commonly considered alternative therapies include special diets, nutritional supplements, cannabis, acupuncture, chelation, and energy healing. This article reviews these in detail. The authors also describe 3 models by which physicians may frame discussions about alternative therapies: paternalism, autonomy, and shared decision making. Finally, the authors review a program called ALSUntangled, which uses shared decision making to review alternative therapies for ALS.

Physician attitudes toward shared decision making: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Although evidence suggests that shared decision-making (SDM) can improve patient outcomes, uptake to date has been sparse. The purpose of this review was to determine the reported opinions of physicians regarding the use of SDM in clinical practice and to identify strategies to promote uptake.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review, including papers published between 2007 and 2014.

RESULTS

The electronic search yielded 11,761 results. Following abstract review, 123 papers were selected for full text review, and 43 papers were included for analysis. Fourteen of the included studies considered SDM within the context of primary care, 25 in secondary care, and 4 in both.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians express positive attitudes toward SDM in clinical practice, although the level of support varies by clinical scenario, treatment decision and patient characteristics.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Physician support for SDM is a necessary, if not sufficient, condition to facilitate meaningful SDM. In order to garner support for SDM, additional empirical evidence regarding the clinical and patient important outcomes must be established. Based on the results of this review, the authors suggest assessing the impact of SDM within the context of chronic disease management where multiple therapeutic options exist, and outcomes may be measured long-term.

Releasing test results directly to patients: A multisite survey of physician perspectives

OBJECTIVE

To determine physician perspectives about direct notification of normal and abnormal test results.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey at five clinical sites in the US and Australia. The US-based study was conducted via web-based survey of primary care physicians and specialists between July and October 2012. An identical paper-based survey was self-administered between June and September 2012 with specialists in Australia.

RESULTS

Of 1417 physicians invited, 315 (22.2%) completed the survey. Two-thirds (65.3%) believed that patients should be directly notified of normal results, but only 21.3% were comfortable with direct notification of clinically significant abnormal results. Physicians were more likely to endorse direct notification of abnormal results if they believed it would reduce the number of patients lost to follow-up (OR=4.98, 95%CI=2.21-1.21) or if they had personally missed an abnormal test result (OR=2.95, 95%CI=1.44-6.02). Conversely, physicians were less likely to endorse if they believed that direct notification interfered with the practice of medicine (OR=0.39, 95%CI=0.20-0.74).

CONCLUSION

Physicians we surveyed generally favor direct notification of normal results but appear to have substantial concerns about direct notification of abnormal results.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Widespread use of direct notification should be accompanied by strategies to help patients manage test result abnormalities they receive.

Delivering patient choice in clinical practice: a conversation analytic study of communication practices used in neurology clinics to involve patients in decision-making

Background

The NHS is committed to offering patients more choice. Yet even within the NHS, the meaning of patient choice ranges from legal ‘rights to choose’ to the ambition of establishing clinical practice as a ‘partnership’ between doctor and patient. In the absence of detailed guidance, we focused on preciselyhowto engage patients in decision-making.

Objectives

To contribute to the evidence-base about whether or not, and how, patient choice is implemented to identify the most effective communication practices for facilitating patient choice.

Design

We used conversation analysis to examine practices whereby neurologists offer choice. The main data set consists of audio- and video-recorded consultations. Patients completed pre- and post-consultation questionnaires and neurologists completed the latter.

Setting and participants

The study was conducted in neurology outpatient clinics in Glasgow and Sheffield. Fourteen neurologists, 223 patients and 120 accompanying others took part.

Results

Patients and clinicians agreed that choice had featured in 53.6% of consultations and that choice was absent in 14.3%. After 32.1% of consultations,eitherpatientorneurologist thought choice was offered. The presence or absence of choice was not satisfactorily explained by quantitatively explored clinical or demographic variables. For our qualitative analysis, the corpus was divided into four subsets: (1) patient and clinician agree that choice was present; (2) patient and clinician agree that choice was absent; (3) patient ‘yes’, clinician ‘no’; and (4) patient ‘no’, clinician ‘yes’. Comparison of all subsets showed that ‘option-listing’ was the only practice for offering choice that was presentonly(with one exception, which, as we show, proves the rule) in those consultations for which participantsagreed there was a choice. We show how option-listing can be used to engage patients in decision-making, but also how very small changes in the machinery of option-listing [for instance the replacement or displacement of the final component of this practice, the patient view elicitor (PVE)] can significantly alter the slot for patient participation. In fact, a slightly modified form of option-listing can be used to curtail choice. Finally, we describe two forms of PVE that can be used to hand a single-option decision to the patient, but which, we show, can raise difficulties for patient choice.

Conclusions

Choice features in the majority of recorded consultations. If doctors want to ensure a patient knows she or he has a choice, option-listing is likely to be best understood by patients as an invitation to choose. However, an important lesson from this study is that simply asking doctors to adopt a practice (like option-listing) will not automatically lead to a patient-centred approach. Our study shows that preciselyhowa practice is implemented is crucial.

Future research

Future research should investigate (1) links between the practices identified here and relevant outcome measures (like adherence); (2) whether being given a choice is better or worse for patients than receiving a doctor’s recommendation, taking account of clinical and demographic factors; and (3) how our approach could be fruitfully applied in other settings.

Funding

The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

A conceptual model of the multiple stages of communication necessary to support patient-centered care

Patient-centered care requires that both healthcare providers and patients have access to comparative effectiveness research (CER), which provides direct comparisons of the risks and benefits of available clinical options. However, insufficient attention has been paid to developing the comprehensive communication systems necessary to ensure that CER reaches patients and healthcare providers. In this review, we propose a model of the multiple stages of CER communication necessary for patient-centered care and review the existing research and gaps in knowledge relevant to each stage. These stages include: promotion of the underlying concepts and value of CER; translation of CER results; dissemination of CER results; and utilization of the results of CER in shared decision-making between patients and providers. A comprehensive approach to CER communication is necessary to ensure that the growing interest in and availability of CER is able to support a more patient-centered model of healthcare.

Prevention of unintended pregnancy: a focus on long-acting reversible contraception

This article summarizes the literature regarding the epidemiology and prevention of unintended pregnancy in the United States. Because of the Affordable Care Act and its accompanying contraceptive provision, there is a need for more primary care clinicians to provide family planning services. Office-based interventions to incorporate family planning services in primary care are presented, including clinical tools and electronic health record use. Special attention is paid to long-acting reversible contraceptive methods (the subdermal implant and intrauterine devices); these highly effective and safe methods have the greatest potential to decrease the rate of unintended pregnancy, but have been underused.

Shared decision-making behaviours in health professionals: a systematic review of studies based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Background

Shared decision making (SDM) requires health professionals to change their practice. Socio‐cognitive theories, such as the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), provide the needed theoretical underpinnings for designing behaviour change interventions.

Objective

We systematically reviewed studies that used the TPB to assess SDM behaviours in health professionals to explore how theory is being used to explain influences on SDM intentions and/or behaviours, and which construct is identified as most influential.

Search strategy

We searched PsycINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Index to theses, Proquest dissertations and Current Contents for all years up to April 2012.

Inclusion criteria

We included all studies in French or English that used the TPB and related socio‐cognitive theories to assess SDM behavioural intentions or behaviours in health professionals. We used Makoul & Clayman's integrative SDM model to identify SDM behaviours.

Data extraction and synthesis

We extracted study characteristics, nature of the socio‐cognitive theory, SDM behaviour, and theory‐based determinants of the SDM behavioural intention or behaviour. We computed simple frequency counts.

Main results

Of 12 388 titles, we assessed 136 full‐text articles for eligibility. We kept 20 eligible studies, all published in English between 1996 and 2012. Studies were conducted in Canada (n = 8), the USA (n = 6), the Netherlands (n = 3), the United Kingdom (n = 2) and Australia (n = 1). The determinant most frequently and significantly associated with intention was the subjective norm (n = 15/21 analyses).

Discussion

There was great variance in the way socio‐cognitive theories predicted SDM intention and/or behaviour, but frequency of significance indicated that subjective norm was most influential.

Directive counsel and morally controversial medical decision-making: findings from two national surveys of primary care physicians

BACKGROUND

Because of the potential to unduly influence patients' decisions, some ethicists counsel physicians to be nondirective when negotiating morally controversial medical decisions.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether primary care providers (PCPs) are less likely to endorse directive counsel for morally controversial medical decisions than for typical ones and to identify predictors of endorsing directive counsel in such situations.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

Surveys were mailed to two separate national samples of practicing primary care physicians. Survey 1 was conducted from 2009 to 2010 on 1,504 PCPs; Survey 2 was conducted from 2010 to 2011 on 1,058 PCPs.

MAIN MEASURES

Survey 1: After randomization, half of the PCPs were asked if physicians should encourage patients to make the decision that the physician believes is best (directive counsel) with respect to "typical" medical decisions and half were asked the same question with respect to "morally controversial" medical decisions. Survey 2: After reading a vignette in which a patient asked for palliative sedation to unconsciousness, PCPs were asked whether it would be appropriate for the patient's physician to encourage the patient to make the decision the physician believes is best.

KEY RESULTS

Of 1,427 eligible physicians, 896 responded to Survey 1 (63 %). Physicians asked about morally controversial decisions were half as likely (35 % vs. 65 % for typical decisions, p < 0.001) to endorse directive counsel. Of 986 eligible physicians, 600 responded to Survey 2 (61 %). Two in five physicians (41 %) endorsed directive counsel after reading a vignette describing a patient requesting palliative sedation to unconsciousness; these physicians tended to be male and more religious.

CONCLUSIONS

PCPs are less likely to endorse directive counsel when negotiating morally controversial medical decisions. Male physicians and those who are more religious are more likely to endorse directive counsel in these situations.

Decision Aid to Technologically Enhance Shared decision making (DATES): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Clinicians face challenges in promoting colorectal cancer screening due to multiple competing demands. A decision aid that clarifies patient preferences and improves decision quality can aid shared decision making and be effective at increasing colorectal cancer screening rates. However, exactly how such an intervention improves shared decision making is unclear. This study, funded by the National Cancer Institute, seeks to provide detailed understanding of how an interactive decision aid that elicits patient's risks and preferences impacts patient-clinician communication and shared decision making, and ultimately colorectal cancer screening adherence.

METHODS/DESIGN

This is a two-armed single-blinded randomized controlled trial with the target of 300 patients per arm. The setting is eleven community and three academic primary care practices in Metro Detroit. Patients are men and women aged between 50 and 75 years who are not up to date on colorectal cancer screening. ColoDATES Web (intervention arm), a decision aid that incorporates interactive personal risk assessment and preference clarification tools, is compared to a non-interactive website that matches ColoDATES Web in content but does not contain interactive tools (control arm). Primary outcomes are patient uptake of colorectal cancer screening; patient decision quality (knowledge, preference clarification, intent); clinician's degree of shared decision making; and patient-clinician concordance in the screening test chosen. Secondary outcome incorporates a Structural Equation Modeling approach to understand the mechanism of the causal pathway and test the validity of the proposed conceptual model based on Theory of Planned Behavior. Clinicians and those performing the analysis are blinded to arms.

DISCUSSION

The central hypothesis is that ColoDATES Web will improve colorectal cancer screening adherence through improvement in patient behavioral factors, shared decision making between the patient and the clinician, and concordance between the patient's and clinician's preferred colorectal cancer screening test. The results of this study will be among the first to examine the effect of a real-time preference assessment exercise on colorectal cancer screening and mediators, and, in doing so, will shed light on the patient-clinician communication and shared decision making 'black box' that currently exists between the delivery of decision aids to patients and subsequent patient behavior.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01514786.

Dialysis or conservative care for frail older patients: ethics of shared decision-making

Increasing numbers of frail elderly with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and multiple comorbidities are undertaking dialysis treatment. This has been accompanied by increasing dialysis withdrawal, thus warranting investigation into why this is occurring and whether a different approach to choosing treatment should be implemented. Despite being a potentially life-saving treatment, the physical and psychosocial burdens associated with dialysis in the frail elderly usually outweigh the benefits of correcting uraemia. Conservative management is less invasive and avoids the adverse effects associated with dialysis, but unfortunately it is often not properly considered until patients withdraw from dialysis. Shared decision-making has been proposed to allow patients active participation in healthcare decisions. Through this approach, patients will focus on their personal values to receive appropriate treatment, and perhaps opt for conservative management. This may help address the issue of dialysis withdrawal. Moreover, shared decision-making attempts to resolve the conflict between autonomy and other ethical principles, including physician paternalism. Here, we explore the ethical background behind shared decision-making, and whether it is genuinely in the patient's best interests or whether it is a cynical solution to encourage more patients to consider conservative care, thus saving limited resources.

A framework for encouraging patient engagement in medical decision making

Patients have a right to make decisions about their medical care because they have the most at stake. Although current social forces and policies press for greater patient participation, there is little guidance on how physicians can comply. This paper describes the current culture influencing the physician-patient relationship, offers a practical framework and strategies to physicians to engage patients in medical decision making, and discusses the implications for patient safety. We describe several barriers that make patient involvement difficult to practice, such as differences between models that define the roles of both parties in the relationship. Arguably, patients should make all medical care decisions, but there are situations when this is not feasible. Nonetheless, there is a greater imperative for patient decision making if there are multiple treatment options; if the alternatives differ relative to clinical, quality-of-life, or financial outcomes; or if there are different clinical risks and benefits. We offer 3 strategies to encourage patients to make medical decisions and suggest implications for the field of patient safety.

Providers' roles in enhancing patients' adherence to pain self management

Practice guidelines and empirical research related to pain management encourage clinicians to take active roles in providing education about self management and promoting adoption of a self-management approach. The purpose of the study was to review the relevant literature, summarize aspects of the patient-provider interaction that influence patient engagement in self management for chronic pain, and outline practice recommendations in this area. Review of the literature on aspects of the patient-provider interaction that promote engagement in pain self-management was used. Findings are synthesized into recommendations for providers. Patients benefit from a biopsychosocial and patient-centered approach. Patients are more likely to fully disclose when providers respond empathically, which can improve conceptualization and treatment. Patient education and motivation play important roles in engaging patients in self management. Self management is influenced in part by the patient-provider communication process. Suggestions for communication strategies to facilitate patient engagement in self-management techniques, including empathic discussion of barriers and motivation enhancement, are provided.

Understanding behavioral intent to participate in shared decision-making in medically uncertain situations

OBJECTIVE

This article describes the process undertaken to identify and validate behavioral and normative beliefs and behavioral intent based on the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and applied to men between the ages of 45 and 70 in the context of their participation in shared decision-making (SDM) in medically uncertain situations. This article also discusses the preliminary results of the aforementioned processes and explores potential future uses of this information that may facilitate greater understanding, efficiency and effectiveness of clinician-patient consultations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-five male subjects from the Philadelphia community participated in this study. Individual semi-structure patient interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. Based on their review of the patient interview transcripts, researchers conducted a qualitative content analysis to identify prevalent themes and, subsequently, create a category framework. Qualitative indicators were used to evaluate respondents' experiences, beliefs, and behavioral intent relative to participation in shared decision-making during medical uncertainty.

RESULTS

Based on the themes uncovered through the content analysis, a category framework was developed to facilitate understanding and increase the accuracy of predictions related to an individual's behavioral intent to participate in shared decision-making in medical uncertainty. The emerged themes included past experience with medical uncertainty, individual personality, and the relationship between the patient and his physician. The resulting three main framework categories include 1) an individual's Foundation for the concept of medical uncertainty, 2) how the individual Copes with medical uncertainty, and 3) the individual's Behavioral Intent to seek information and participate in shared decision-making during times of medically uncertain situations.

DISCUSSION

The theme of Coping (with uncertainty) emerged as a particularly critical behavior/characteristic amongst the subjects. By understanding a subject's disposition with regard to coping, researchers were better able to make connections between a subject's prior experiences, their knowledge seeking activities, and their intent to participate in SDM. Despite having information and social support, the subjects still had to cope with the idea of uncertainty before determining how to proceed with regard to shared decision-making. In addition, the coping category reinforced the importance of information seeking behaviors and preferences for shared decision-making.

CONCLUSIONS

This study applies and extends the field of behavioral and health informatics to assist medical practice and decision-making in situations of medical uncertainty. More specifically, this study led to the development of a category framework that facilitates the identification of an individual's needs and motivational factors with regard to their intent to participate in shared decision-making in situations of medical uncertainty.

Physicians' motives for professional internet use and differences in attitudes toward the internet-informed patient, physician-patient communication, and prescribing behavior

Background

Physicians have differing motives for using the Internet and Internet-related services in their professional work. These motives may affect their evaluation of patients who bring with them health-related information from the Internet. Differing motives may also affect physician–patient communication and subsequent prescribing behavior.

Objectives

To segment physicians into types based on their motives for using the Internet in connection with professional activities and to analyze how those segments differ in their attitudes in three areas: toward patients who bring along Internet-sourced information; in their own subsequent prescribing behavior; and in their attitudes toward using the Internet to communicate with patients in future.

Methods

We surveyed 287 German physicians online from three medical fields. To assess physicians’ motives for using the Internet for their professional activities, we asked them to rate their level of agreement with statements on a 7-point scale. Motive statements were reduced to motive dimensions using principal component analysis, and 2-step cluster analysis based on motive dimensions identified different segments of physicians. Several statements assessed agreement or disagreement on a 7-point scale physicians’ attitudes toward patients’ bringing Internet information to the consultation and their own subsequent prescribing behavior. Further, we asked physicians to indicate on a 7-point scale their valuation of the Internet for physician–patient communication in the future. Data were then subjected to variance and contingency analyses.

Results

We identified three motive dimensions for Internet use: (1) being on the cutting edge and for self-expression (Cronbach alpha = .88), (2) efficiency and effectiveness (alpha = .79), and (3) diversity and convenience (alpha = .71). These three factors accounted for 71.4% of the variance. Based on physicians’ motives for using the Internet, four types of physician Internet user were identified: (1) the Internet Advocate (2), Efficiency-Oriented, (3) Internet Critic, and (4) Driven Self-expressionist. Groups differed significantly concerning (1) their attitude toward informed patients in general (F₁₂₃₄ = 9.215, P < .001), (2) perceived improvement in the physician–patient relationship Internet information brings (F₁₂₃₄ = 5.386, P < .001), (3) perceived accuracy of information the patient brings (F₁₂₃₄ = 3.658, P = .01), and (4) perceived amount of time needed to devote to an Internet-informed patient (F₁₂₃₄ = 3.356, P = .02). Physician segments did not differ significantly in reported prescribing behavior (F₁₂₃₄ = 1.910, P = .13). However, attitudes toward using the Internet to communicate with patients in future differed significantly (F₁₂₃₄ = 23.242, P < .001).

Conclusions

Based on self-reporting by German physicians of their motives for professional Internet use, we identified four types of Internet users who differ significantly in their attitude toward patients who bring along Internet information and their attitudes toward using the Internet to communicate with patients in future.

Arriba-lib: association of an evidence-based electronic library of decision aids with communication and decision-making in patients and primary care physicians

AIM

In shared decision-making, patients are empowered to actively ask questions and participate in decisions about their healthcare based on their preferences and values. Decision aids should help patients make informed choices among diagnostic or treatment options by delivering evidence-based information on options and outcomes; however, they have rarely been field tested, especially in the primary care context. We therefore evaluated associations between the use of an interactive, transactional and evidence-based library of decision aids (arriba-lib) and communication and decision-making in patients and physicians in the primary care context.

METHODS

Our electronic library of decision aids ('arriba-lib') includes evidence-based modules for cardiovascular prevention, diabetes, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation and depression. Twenty-nine primary care physicians recruited 192 patients. We used questionnaires to ask patients and physicians about their experiences with and attitudes towards the programme. Patients were interviewed via telephone 2 months after the consultation. Data were analysed by general estimation equations, cross tab analyses and by using effect sizes.

RESULTS

Only a minority (8.9%) of the consultations were felt to be too long because physicians said consultations were unacceptably extended by arriba-lib. We found a negative association between the detailedness of the discussion of the clinical problem's definition and the age of the patients. Physicians discuss therapeutic options in less detail with patients who have a formal education of less than 8 years. Patients who were counselled by a physician with no experience in using a decision aid more often reported that they do not remember being counselled with the help of a decision aid or do not wish to be counselled again with a decision aid.

CONCLUSIONS

Arriba-lib has positive associations to the decision-making process in patients and physicians. It can also be used with older age groups and patients with less formal education. Physicians seem to adapt their counselling strategy to different patient groups. Prior experience with the use of decision aids has an influence on the acceptance of arriba-lib in patients but not on their decision-making or decision implementation.

Arriba-lib: evaluation of an electronic library of decision aids in primary care physicians

Background

The successful implementation of decision aids in clinical practice initially depends on how clinicians perceive them. Relatively little is known about the acceptance of decision aids by physicians and factors influencing the implementation of decision aids from their point of view. Our electronic library of decision aids (arriba-lib) is to be used within the encounter and has a modular structure containing evidence-based decision aids for the following topics: cardiovascular prevention, atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, oral antidiabetics, conventional and intensified insulin therapy, and unipolar depression. The aim of our study was to evaluate the acceptance of arriba-lib in primary care physicians.

Methods

We conducted an evaluation study in which 29 primary care physicians included 192 patients. The physician questionnaire contained information on which module was used, how extensive steps of the shared decision making process were discussed, who made the decision, and a subjective appraisal of consultation length. We used generalised estimation equations to measure associations within patient variables and traditional crosstab analyses.

Results

Only a minority of consultations (8.9%) was considered to be unacceptably extended. In 90.6% of consultations, physicians said that a decision could be made. A shared decision was perceived by physicians in 57.1% of consultations. Physicians said that a decision was more likely to be made when therapeutic options were discussed “detailed”. Prior experience with decision aids was not a critical variable for implementation within our sample of primary care physicians.

Conclusions

Our study showed that it might be feasible to apply our electronic library of decision aids (arriba-lib) in the primary care context. Evidence-based decision aids offer support for physicians in the management of medical information. Future studies should monitor the long-term adoption of arriba-lib in primary care physicians.

Too complex and time-consuming to fit in! Physicians' experiences of elderly patients and their participation in medical decision making: a grounded theory study

OBJECTIVE

To explore physicians' thoughts and considerations of participation in medical decision making by hospitalised elderly patients.

DESIGN

A qualitative study using focus group interviews with physicians interpreted with grounded theory and completed with a questionnaire.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The setting was three different hospitals in two counties in Sweden. Five focus groups were conducted with physicians (n=30) in medical departments, with experience of care of elderly patients.

RESULTS

Physicians expressed frustration at not being able to give good care to elderly patients with multimorbidity, including letting them participate in medical decision making. Two main categories were found: 'being challenged' by this patient group and 'being a small part of the healthcare production machine'. Both categories were explained by the core category 'lacking in time'. The reasons for the feeling of 'being challenged' were explained by the subcategories 'having a feeling of incompetence', 'having to take relatives into consideration' and 'having to take cognitive decline into account'. The reasons for the feeling of 'being a small part of the healthcare production machine' were explained by the subcategories 'at the mercy of routines' and 'inadequate remuneration system', both of which do not favour elderly patients with multimorbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians find that elderly patients with multimorbidity lead to frustration by giving them a feeling of professional inadequacy, as they are unable to prioritise this common and rapidly growing patient group and enable them to participate in medical decision making. The reason for this feeling is explained by lack of time, competence, holistic view, appropriate routines and proper remuneration systems for treating these patients.

What influences patient decision-making in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis multidisciplinary care? A study of patient perspectives

BACKGROUND

Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are required to make decisions concerning quality of life and symptom management over the course of their disease. Clinicians perceive that patients' ability to engage in timely decision-making is extremely challenging. However, we lack patient perspectives on this issue. This study aimed to explore patient experiences of ALS, and to identify factors influencing their decision-making in the specialized multidisciplinary care of ALS.

METHODS

An exploratory study was conducted. Fourteen patients from two specialized ALS multidisciplinary clinics participated in semistructured interviews that were audio recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed for emergent themes.

RESULTS

Decision-making was influenced by three levels of factors, ie, structural, interactional, and personal. The structural factor was the decision-making environment of specialized multidisciplinary ALS clinics, which supported decision-making by providing patients with disease-specific information and specialized care planning. Interactional factors were the patient experiences of ALS, including patients' reaction to the diagnosis, response to deterioration, and engagement with the multidisciplinary ALS team. Personal factors were patients' personal philosophies, including their outlook on life, perceptions of control, and planning for the future. Patient approaches to decision-making reflected a focus on the present, rather than anticipating future progression of the disease and potential care needs.

CONCLUSION

Decision-making for symptom management and quality of life in ALS care is enhanced when the patient's personal philosophy is supported by collaborative relationships between the patient and the multidisciplinary ALS team. Patients valued the support provided by the multidisciplinary team; however, their focus on living in the present diverged from the efforts of health professionals to prepare patients and their carers for the future. The challenge facing health professionals is how best to engage each patient in decision-making for their future needs, to bridge this gap.

Physicians' attitudes about communicating and managing scientific uncertainty differ by perceived ambiguity aversion of their patients

BACKGROUND

Medical interventions are often characterized by substantial scientific uncertainty regarding their benefits and harms. Physicians must communicate to their patients as part of the process of shared decision making, yet they may not always communicate scientific uncertainty for several reasons. One suggested by past research is individual differences in physicians' tolerance of uncertainty. Relatedly, an unexplored explanation is physicians' beliefs about their patients' tolerance of uncertainty.

DESIGN

To test this possibility, we surveyed a sample of primary care physicians (N = 1500) and examined the association between their attitudes about communicating and managing scientific uncertainty and their perceptions of negative reactions to uncertainty by their patients. Physician perceptions were measured by their propensity towards pessimistic appraisals of risk information and avoidance of decision making when risk information is ambiguous--of uncertain reliability, credibility or adequacy, known as 'ambiguity aversion'.

RESULTS

Confirming past studies, physician demographics (e.g. medical specialty) predicted attitudes toward communicating scientific uncertainty. Additionally, physicians' beliefs about their patients' ambiguity aversion significantly predicted these preferences. Physicians who thought that more of their patients would have negative reactions to ambiguous information were more likely to think that they should decide what is best for their patients (β = 0.065, P = 0.013), and to withhold an intervention that had uncertainty associated with it (β = 0.170, P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

When faced with the task of communicating scientific uncertainty about medical tests and treatments, physicians' perceptions of their patients' ambiguity aversion may be related to their attitudes towards communicating uncertainty.

Patient-physician agreement on the content of CHD prevention discussions

BACKGROUND

Little is known about agreement between patients and physicians on content and outcomes of clinical discussions. A common perception of content and outcomes may be desirable to optimize decision making and clinical care.

OBJECTIVE

To determine patient-physician agreement on content and outcomes of coronary heart disease (CHD) prevention discussions.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey nested within a randomized CHD prevention study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

University internal medicine clinic; 24 physicians and 157 patients.

METHODS

Following one clinic visit, we surveyed patients and physicians on discussion content, decision making and final decisions about CHD prevention. For comparison, we audio-recorded, transcribed and coded 20 patient-physician visits. We calculated percent agreement between patient/physician reports, patient/transcription reports and physician/transcription reports. We calculated Cohen's kappas to compare patient/physician perspectives.

RESULTS

Patients and physicians agreed on whether CHD was discussed in 130 visits (83%; kappa = 0.55; 95% CI 0.40-0.70). When discussions occurred, they agreed about discussion content (pros versus cons) in 53% of visits (kappa = 0.15; 95% CI -0.01-0.30) and physicians' recommendations in 73% (kappa = 0.44; 95% CI 0.28-0.66). Patients and physicians agreed on final decisions to take medication in 78% (kappa = 0.58; 95% CI 0.45-0.71) and change lifestyle in 69% (kappa = 0.38; 95% CI 0.24-0.53). They agreed less often, 43% (kappa = 0.13; 95% CI -0.11-0.37) about degree of involvement in decision making. Audio-recorded results were similar, but showed very low agreement between transcripts and patients' and physicians' self-report on discussion content and decision making.

CONCLUSIONS

Disagreements about clinical discussions and decision making may be common. Future work is needed to determine: how widespread such agreements are; whether they impact clinical outcomes; and the relative importance of the subjective experience versus objective steps of shared decision making.

Preferences for decision-making about contraception and general health care among reproductive age women at an abortion clinic

OBJECTIVE

Studies suggest that not all patients desire shared decision making, and little is known about decision making around contraception. This study compared decision-making preferences for contraception to preferences for general health among reproductive-aged women.

METHODS

257 women receiving abortion care in an urban hospital completed a survey which included questions adapted from the Problem-Solving Decision-Making Scale about their preferences for medical decision making.

RESULTS

Women were significantly more likely to desire autonomous decision making about contraception than about their general health care (50% vs. 19%, p<.001). No patient characteristics were associated with contraceptive decision-making preferences. Women with Medicaid insurance were more likely to desire autonomous decision making about contraception than about general health care (51% vs. 17%, p<.001).

CONCLUSION

Women desire more autonomy in their contraceptive decisions than in their decisions about general health care.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Health care providers should be attentive to the existence of variation in preferences in decision making across health domains. Contraceptive providers should proactively assess decisional preferences to ensure the most appropriate counseling is provided to each individual.