Shared Decision Making and the Use of Decision Aids

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Education
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Shared decision making (SDM) involves patients and physicians partnering in treatment choices.
• Training physicians in SDM is crucial for cancer patient care.
• This study evaluated the impact of SDM training on physicians treating cancer patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of SDM training for physicians treating cancer patients.
• To evaluate the impact of trained physicians on patient decision confidence, satisfaction, anxiety, and depression.
• To measure improvements in physician competence in SDM.

Main Methods:

• A cluster-randomized trial involving physicians treating breast or colon cancer patients.
• Physicians received 12 hours of SDM training, including decision aid use.
• Patient-reported outcomes (confidence, satisfaction, anxiety, depression) and physician competence were assessed.

Main Results:

• Trained physicians demonstrated enhanced SDM competence (Cohen's d = 0.56, p<0.05).
• Patients treated by trained physicians reported lower immediate anxiety and depression (d = -0.12, -0.14; p<0.10).
• Significant reductions in patient anxiety and depression were observed at three months (d = -0.94, -0.67; p<0.01).

Conclusions:

• SDM training enhances physician competence in shared decision making.
• Improved physician SDM competence is associated with reduced patient anxiety and depression.
• These findings suggest SDM training is beneficial for cancer patients' psychological well-being.