What has your experience been with patient involvement in treatment or healthcare decisions?
In this Discussion, you will share your experiences and consider the impact of patient involvement (or lack of involvement). You will also consider the use of a patient decision aid to inform best practices for patient care and healthcare decision making.
Patient Involvement in Treatment and Healthcare Decisions
Throughout my experience in healthcare settings, I have observed firsthand how critical patient involvement is in treatment decisions. When patients are actively engaged in their care, outcomes tend to improve, satisfaction increases, and trust between provider and patient deepens. Conversely, a lack of patient involvement often leads to confusion, poor adherence to treatment plans, and feelings of helplessness.
One notable experience occurred while working with an elderly patient newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Initially, the healthcare team provided the patient with a strict management plan without involving him in discussions about his lifestyle, preferences, or concerns. As a result, he felt overwhelmed and resistant, leading to poor adherence. Recognizing this, our team shifted strategies and used a patient-centered approach. We discussed his daily routines, dietary preferences, and personal goals. Through shared decision-making, we crafted a more flexible plan that incorporated his input. The change was remarkable: the patient became more motivated and confident in managing his condition, which ultimately improved his blood sugar levels and overall health.
Patient decision aids can significantly enhance this collaborative process. These tools—such as brochures, videos, and online resources—help patients better understand their options, including the risks and benefits of each choice. By breaking down complex medical information into understandable language, decision aids empower patients to participate meaningfully in their care. Research has shown that using decision aids can lead to greater patient knowledge, more accurate risk perceptions, and decisions that align more closely with patients’ values and preferences (Stacey et al., 2017).
In practice, I have seen how even simple aids like visual charts or pros-and-cons lists can make a difference. For instance, when discussing anticoagulation therapy options with a patient with atrial fibrillation, using a decision aid clarified the potential benefits and risks in a way that a verbal explanation alone could not. The patient appreciated having time to reflect on the information, involve his family, and ask informed questions at the next visit. This level of engagement strengthened his commitment to the treatment choice he ultimately made.
Overall, my experiences have underscored the importance of prioritizing patient involvement in healthcare decision-making. It fosters autonomy, improves adherence, and leads to care that is more aligned with the individual’s life and goals. Incorporating patient decision aids into routine practice represents an evidence-based strategy to support this involvement and to promote best practices in patient-centered care.
Reference
Stacey, D., Légaré, F., Lewis, K., Barry, M. J., Bennett, C. L., Eden, K. B., … & Trevena, L. (2017). Decision aids for people facing health treatment or screening decisions. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4), CD001431. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001431.pub5
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