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Does 'peer coaching' increase GP capacity to promote informed decision making about PSA screening? A cluster
Melina Gattellari1, Neil Donnelly, Nicholas Taylor
1School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales and Centre for Research, Evidence Management and Serveillance, South Western Sydney Area Health Service, Liverpool, NSW 1871, Australia. Melina.Gattellari@swsahs.nsw.gov.au
Family Practice
|April 13, 2005
Summary
A peer coaching program significantly improved general practitioners' (GPs) knowledge and confidence in discussing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, promoting informed patient decisions.
Area of Science:
- General Practice
- Preventive Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Limited efforts exist to support GPs in guiding patients on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening decisions.
- Informed decision-making for PSA screening is crucial for patient-centered care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess an innovative program designed to enhance GPs' ability to facilitate informed patient decision-making regarding PSA screening.
- Evaluate the impact of peer coaching on GP knowledge and practice related to PSA screening.
Main Methods:
- A cluster randomized controlled trial involving 277 GPs in New South Wales, Australia.
- Intervention included telephone-administered peer coaching sessions and educational resources.
- Outcomes measured: GP knowledge, patient involvement perception, GP decisional conflict, and medicolegal risk perception.
Main Results:
- Intervention GPs showed significantly higher PSA screening knowledge (P < 0.001).
- GPs in the intervention group were less likely to view patients as passive decision-makers (OR = 0.11, P < 0.001).
- Intervention reduced GP decisional conflict and perceived medicolegal risk (P = 0.0002).
Conclusions:
- A peer coaching program, enhanced by educational materials, effectively equips GPs to facilitate informed PSA screening decisions.
- This strategy shows promise for improving shared decision-making in primary care settings.