The views of women and their physicians on decision-making for stress urinary incontinence

Treatment decisions for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) are preference sensitive, because the disease is non-lethal and there are multiple reasonable treatment options. However, little is known about patients' and physicians' preferred decision-making styles for SUI. To aid physicians in their counselling and decision-making in consultations for SUI, we studied patients' and physicians' preferred and perceived decision-making in medical specialist consultations for SUI.

This mixed-methods study combined the validated control preference scale (CPS) and the CPS perception version, and semi-structured, in-depth interviews with both patients and physicians. This study took place in Canada, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Sixteen physicians from all three countries and seventeen women from the Netherlands and Canada were interviewed.

All women expressed a preference for being involved in the decision-making process, either by informative or shared decision-making (SDM) in the CPS, because they valued the autonomy to make their own choice regarding treatment for SUI and appreciated receiving information and advice from their doctor. Physicians also preferred an involved patient, but used medical expertise to steer towards their preferred treatment option. Physicians found SDM difficult to understand, expressing different interpretations.

SDM is not a precise concept either for patients or physicians, with multiple interpretations. All patients with SUI want to be involved in the decision-making process, either by informative or by shared decision-making. Physicians both express the desire to involve patients in their decision making, but conversely to steer patients towards the decision that they feel suits them best.