Patients' Understanding of Shared Decision Making in a Mental Health Setting

We examined patients’ accounts and understanding of shared decision making. We analyzed interviews from 54 veterans receiving outpatient mental health care at a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the United States. Although patients’ understanding of shared decision making was consistent with accounts published in the literature, participants reported that shared decision making goes well beyond these components. They identified the patient–provider relationship as the bedrock of shared decision making and highlighted several factors that interfere with shared decision making. Our findings highlight the importance of the patient–provider relationship as a fundamental element of shared decision making and point to areas for potential improvement.

Source: Qualitative Health Research - March 31, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Eliacin, J., Salyers, M. P., Kukla, M., Matthias, M. S. Tags: Articles Source Type: research