O.4.1SDM, patient-centered communication and patient satisfaction - a cross-sectional analysis: Presenter(s): Veerle Siebinga, Isala Hospital Zwolle, Netherlands. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Driever, Ellen; Stiggelbout, Anne; Brand, Paul
• Is Part Of: Patient education and counseling. Volume 109(2023)Supplement
• Page Start: 8
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: Patient education -- Periodicals; Health counseling -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Patient Education -- Periodicals; Éducation des patients -- Périodiques; Counseling -- Périodiques; Éducation sanitaire -- Périodiques; 615.5071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2022.10.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-3991

Abstract

Abstract : Background: The integration of shared decision making (SDM) and patient-centered communication (PCC) is needed to actively involve patients in decision making. This study examined the relationship between SDM, PCC and patient satisfaction. Methods: In 82 videotaped hospital outpatient consultations by 41 medical specialists from 18 disciplines (both new and follow-up patients), we assessed the extent of SDM by the OPTION5 score and PCC by the Four Habits Coding Scheme (4HCS), and analyzed the occurrence of a high versus low degree (above or below median) of SDM and/or PCC, and its relation to patient satisfaction scores (Net Promoter Score, NPS). Findings: Most of the included specialists were male (68%), between 40 and 50 years (44%), with a balanced representation of medical and surgical specialties. The enrolled patients were predominantly female (59%) and relatively old (35% in the 60+ age group). In comparison to earlier studies, we observed comparable 4HCS scores and relatively low OPTION5 scores. The correlation between the two was weak (r = 0.29, p = 0.009). In 38% of consultations, we observed a combination of high SDM and low PCC scores or vice versa. The combination of a high SDM and high PCC, which was observed in 23% of consultations, was associated with significantly higher patient satisfaction scores (NPS 9.6 versus 8.4-8.8, p = 0.002). Discussion: Shared decision making and patient-centered communication are not synonymous and do not always co-exist. Patients seem to particularly value the combination of a high degree of both SDM and PCC. The observations of our study underline that SDM and PCC are not synonymous, and suggest that isolated training of physicians to apply SDM or PCC is likely to be insufficient to promote patient-centered care.