Agenda-setting in the clinical encounter: A systematic review protocol

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Communication
• Clinical Practice Improvement
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• Agenda-setting is a collaborative strategy for clinicians and patients to "elicit, propose, and organize" discussion topics during clinical encounters.
• While recognized as vital for patient-centered communication, the effectiveness of agenda-setting interventions on healthcare outcomes remains unclear.
• This study represents the first systematic review to examine clinical visit agenda-setting interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and assess the effects of agenda-setting interventions on clinical encounter, patient, and clinician outcomes.
• To examine the characteristics, delivery, operationalization, and measurement of agenda-setting interventions.
• To synthesize findings qualitatively and quantitatively (via meta-analysis if possible).

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of multiple databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) and gray literature.
• Inclusion of studies comparing agenda-setting interventions with usual care or other interventions.
• Independent dual-reviewer screening, data extraction, and conflict resolution; methodological quality and evidence quality assessment.

Main Results:

• The review will synthesize findings on the effectiveness of agenda-setting interventions.
• Analysis will include both quantitative (meta-analysis) and qualitative synthesis of outcomes.
• Results will detail intervention characteristics and measurement approaches.

Conclusions:

• This systematic review will provide crucial insights into the effectiveness of clinical visit agenda-setting.
• Findings will inform healthcare providers on optimizing patient-centered communication strategies.
• The study aims to clarify the impact of agenda-setting on healthcare outcomes.