An evaluation of two interventions to enhance patient-physician communication using the observer OPTION⁵ measure of...

Evaluate interventions to enhance patient-physician communication and shared decision making (SDM).

We used Observer OPTION⁵ to evaluate primary care visits within a cluster randomized controlled trial in a California delivery organization. Trial interventions included Open Communication (OpenComm), combining patient activation and physician coaching, and AskShareKnow, a patient activation tool, and were compared to a usual care arm. Scores were analyzed with descriptive statistics and generalized estimating equation analysis for 40 visits containing 200 decision topics.

The mean overall OPTION⁵ score was 26.5 out of 100 (s.d.=15.2). Compared to visits in the usual care arm, OpenComm visits had higher mean item scores (0-4 scale) for eliciting (mean=1.0 vs 0.8) and integrating patient preferences (mean=1.0 vs 0.8). OpenComm and AskShareKnow visits had higher scores for presenting options (mean=1.5, 1.5 vs 1.3). AskShareKnow visits had higher scores for discussing pros/cons (mean=1.5 vs 1.1). Lower patient education attainment was associated with lower scores.

OpenComm and AskShareKnow were associated with improved SDM relative to usual care.

Results suggest targeting patient and physician behaviors promotes SDM better than patient activation only. Improving SDM for less educated patients is crucial.