The following is a summary of “Physician Awareness of Patients’ Preferred Level of Involvement in decision-making at the Initial Urogynecology Visit: A Randomized Trial,” published in the January 2024 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology by Nwachokor, et al.
Research indicates a significant discordance, up to 40%, between patients’ preferred roles in decision-making before and after their medical visits, potentially impacting patient experiences. Interventions to reduce this discordance may enhance patient satisfaction. For a randomized controlled trial, researchers sought to assess whether physicians’ awareness of patients’ preferred involvement in decision-making before their initial urogynecology visit influences patients’ perceived level of involvement after the visit.
Adult English-speaking women attending their first visit at an academic urogynecology clinic were enrolled between June 2022 and September 2022. Before the visit, participants completed the Control Preference Scale to determine their preferred decision-making level. They were then randomized into two groups: one where the physician team was aware of their decision-making preference before the visit, and the other receiving usual care. Participants were blinded. After the visit, participants completed surveys assessing their perceived involvement, satisfaction, and health literacy. Statistical analyses included the Fisher exact test, logistic regression, and generalized estimating equations.
A total of 100 women participated, with a mean age of 52.9 years. Most participants preferred an active role in decision-making (61%), with few preferring a passive role (7%). There was no significant difference in the discordance between pre- and post-visit decision-making preferences between the two groups (27% vs. 37%; P=.39). However, patients whose physicians were aware of their preferences reported higher satisfaction with their visit compared to those receiving usual care (100% vs. 90%; P=.03).
Physician awareness of patients’ preferred decision-making roles did not significantly decrease discordance in perceived involvement but positively impacted patient satisfaction. Understanding patients’ preferences in decision-making can contribute to complete patient satisfaction, highlighting the importance of patient-centered care.