Family medicine residents' perspectives on shared decision-making: A mixed methods study

Patient Educ Couns. 2024 Nov:128:108373. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108373. Epub 2024 Jul 14.

Abstract

Objectives: To 1) examine the willingness of residents to undertake shared decision-making and 2) explore whether the willingness to engage in shared decision-making is influenced by the perceived stakes of a clinical situation.

Methods: Sequential mixed methods design. Phase One: Family Medicine residents completed IncorpoRATE, a seven-item measure of clinician willingness to engage in shared decision making. Mean IncorpoRATE scores were calculated. Phase Two: We interviewed residents from phase one to explore their perceptions of high versus low stakes situations. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: IncorpoRATE scores indicated a greater willingness to engage in shared decision-making when the stakes of the decision were perceived as low (7.59 [2.0]) compared to high (4.38 [2.5]). Interviews revealed that residents held variable views of the stakes of similar clinical decisions.

Conclusion: Residents are more willing to engage in shared decision-making when the stakes of the situation are perceived to be low. However, the interpretation of the stakes of clinical situations varies.

Practical implications: Further research is needed to explore how shared decision making is understood by residents in Family Medicine and when they view the process of shared decision-making to be most appropriate.

Keywords: And Residency; Attitude of Health Personnel; Communication; Education; Internship; Learning; Measurement; Shared decision-making; Training.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Decision Making
  • Decision Making, Shared*
  • Family Practice*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internship and Residency*
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Patient Participation / psychology
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Qualitative Research*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires