L. E. Jones, L. C. Roberts, P. S. Little, M. A. Mullee, J. A. Cleland, C. Cooper


March 2014, Volume 23, Issue 1, pp 13 - 19 Original Article Read Full Article 10.1007/s00586-014-3187-0

First Online: 30 January 2014

Purpose

Amid a political agenda for patient-centred healthcare, shared decision-making is reported to substantially improve patient experience, adherence to treatment and health outcomes. However, observational studies have shown that shared decision-making is rarely implemented in practice. The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of shared decision-making in clinical encounters involving physiotherapists and patients with back pain.

Method

Eighty outpatient encounters (comprising 40 h of data) were observed audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the 12-item OPTION scale. The higher the score, the greater is the shared decision-making competency of the clinicians.

Results

The mean OPTION score was 24.0 % (range 10.4–43.8 %).

Conclusion

Shared decision-making was under-developed in the observed back pain consultations. Clinicians’ strong desire to treat acted as a barrier to shared decision-making and further work should focus on when and how it can be implemented.


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