Antidepressant decision aid for major depressive disorder patients (ADAM): Development and pilot testing

This study aimed to develop and assess the effectiveness of an encounter decision aid for Malaysian patients with MDD to support treatment decision-making during the consultation.

The decision aid prototype was developed following a literature review and six focus groups. Alpha testing assessed its comprehensibility, acceptability, usability and desirability through user-centered cognitive interviews. Beta-testing evaluated preliminary evidence on its efficacy using the SDM Scale and PDMS. Feasibility was assessed by timing the consultation.

The alpha testing demonstrated that the decision aid was patient-oriented, comprehensible, comprehensive, concise and objective with an appealing design. Beta-testing indicated that PtDA significantly increased patients satisfaction with SDM from patients' [83.32 (13.92) vs 85.76 (13.80); p < 0.05] and physicians' [81.07 (10.09) vs 86.36 (10.10); p < 0.05] perspectives and prepared the patients for decision making from the patients' [PDMS patients: 84.10 (12.69)] and physicians' [PDMS physicians: 83.78 (16.62)] perspectives as well. There was no change in the consultation time between the control and the intervention groups.

We developed an antidepressant PtDA for Malaysian patients with MDD that increases patients' involvement in shared decision making and enhances their preparedness for decision making.

Using the PtDA can support collaborative decision-making in routine clinical practice without extending the consultation time.