Shared decision-making in patient–doctor consultations – How does it relate to other patient-centred aspects and satisfaction?

Abstract

Background: This study was designed to investigate how patient-reported shared decision-making relates to other aspects of patient centredness and satisfaction. Methods: Questionnaire study with patients. Consecutive patients in primary care responding post visit. Associations are presented as proportions, positive predictive values, with 95% confidence intervals. Results: 223 patient questionnaires were included. 62% (95% Confidence interval (CI): 55–69) of the patients indicated the highest possible rating of being involved in the decisions about their ongoing care (self-reported SDM). Self-reported SDM had a positive predictive value (PPV) of between 85% (CI: 77–90) and 95% (CI: 90–98) for five other patient-centred aspects and satisfaction. Conclusion: The results suggest that shared decision making is the patient-centred aspect hardest to achieve and that a patient-centred process leading up to the decision-making increases the chance of the patient being involved in the decision-making.