Nine Recommendations for Decision Aid Implementation from the Clinician Perspective

Abstract

Background Shared decision-making (SDM) aims to empower patients to take an active role in their treatment choices, supported by clinicians and patient decision aids (PDAs). The purpose of this study is to explore barriers and possible facilitators to SDM and a PDA in the prostate cancer trajectory. In the process we identify possible actions that organizations and individuals can take to support implementation in practice. Methods We use the Ottawa Model of Research Use as a framework to determine the barriers and facilitators to SDM and PDAs from the perspective of clinicians. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with urologists (n = 4), radiation oncologists (n = 3), and oncology nurses (n = 2), focusing on the current decision-making process experienced by these stakeholders. Questions included their attitudes towards SDM and PDAs, barriers to implementation and possible strategies to overcome them. Results Time pressure and patient characteristics were cited as major barriers by 55% of the clinicians we interviewed. Structural factors such as external quotas for certain treatment procedures were also considered as barriers by 44% of the clinicians. Facilitating factors involved organizational changes to embed PDAs in the treatment trajectory, training in using PDAs as a tool for SDM, and clinician motivation by disseminating positive clinical outcomes. Our findings also suggest a role for external stakeholders such as healthcare insurers in creating economic incentives to facilitate implementation. Conclusion Our findings highlight the importance of a multi-faceted implementation strategy to support SDM. While clinician motivation and patient activation are essential, structural/economic barriers may hamper implementation. Action must also be taken at the administrative and policy levels to foster a collaborative environment for SDM and in the process for PDAs.