[Shared decision-making as a new quality indicator in nephrology: a nationwide survey in Germany].
OBJECTIVE
Shared decision-making (SDM) as a model in physician-patient interaction is gaining relevance in the German health system. By applying this model, mid- and long-term improvements are expected especially in the outcomes of chronic diseases. Up to now, there has hardly been any empirical data available in German health services research regarding the state and development of SDM. This study establishes a baseline and provides actual data on this subject based on a German-wide survey of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.


METHODS
Standardized German-wide survey of 6,614 patients with ESRD. The questionnaire included an instrument to measure the patients' perceived involvement in care (PICS) which had been translated and validated before.


RESULTS
82% of the questioned patients feel their physicians facilitated involvement in decision making. 81% of the patients actively inform themselves concerning their disease and treatment options. 69% state that SDM has taken place. Age, years on dialysis and gender correlate with perceived involvement.


CONCLUSIONS
This paper provides a valid baseline for the prospective research of SDM in ESRD. The results indicate that dialysis patients are willing to participate in the process of medical decision-making. Characteristics and preferences of the patients should be taken into account not only in everyday clinical interactions. They could be monitored systematically within the framework of quality management and used as potential for quality improvement.
Scheibler
Fülöp
F
Abteilung Medizinische Soziologie, Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits- und Sozialmedizin der Universität zu, Köln. f.scheibler@uni-koeln.de
Stoffel
Markus P
MP
Barth
Claudia
C
Kuch
Christine
C
Steffen
Petra
P
Baldamus
Conrad A
CA
Pfaff
Holger
H
D003142:Communication; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires