Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2008 | Study protocol
Advancing theories, models and measurement for an interprofessional approach to shared decision making in primary care: a study protocol
Authors:
France Légaré, Dawn Stacey, Ian D Graham, Glyn Elwyn, Pierre Pluye, Marie-Pierre Gagnon, Dominick Frosch, Margaret B Harrison, Jennifer Kryworuchko, Sophie Pouliot, Sophie Desroches
Published in:
BMC Health Services Research
|
Issue 1/2008
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Abstract
Background
Shared decision-making (SDM) is defined as a process by which a healthcare choice is made by practitioners together with the patient. Although many diagnostic and therapeutic processes in primary care integrate more than one type of health professional, most SDM conceptual models and theories appear to be limited to the patient-physician dyad. The objectives of this study are to develop a conceptual model and propose a set of measurement tools for enhancing an interprofessional approach to SDM in primary healthcare.
Methods/Design
An inventory of SDM conceptual models, theories and measurement tools will be created. Models will be critically assessed and compared according to their strengths, limitations, acknowledgement of interprofessional roles in the process of SDM and relevance to primary care. Based on the theory analysis, a conceptual model and a set of measurements tools that could be used to enhance an interprofessional approach to SDM in primary healthcare will be proposed and pilot-tested with key stakeholders and primary healthcare teams.
Discussion
This study protocol is informative for researchers and clinicians interested in designing and/or conducting future studies and educating health professionals to improve how primary healthcare teams foster active participation of patients in making health decisions using a more coordinated approach.