Shared decision making for in-patients with schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
Patients' participation in treatment planning is being increasingly advocated in mental health. The model of "Shared Decision Making" (SDM) is proposed as a promising method of engaging patients in medical decisions and improving health-related outcomes. In the present study, the feasibility and effects of SDM for in-patients with schizophrenia should be evaluated.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial comparing a SDM program with routine care (n = 107).


RESULTS
The intervention studied was feasible for most of the patients and did not take up more of the doctors' time. Patients in the intervention group had a better knowledge about their disease (P = 0.01) and a higher perceived involvement in medical decisions (P = 0.03). The intervention increased the uptake of psychoeducation (P = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Sharing medical decisions with acutely ill in-patients with schizophrenia is in many cases possible and improves important treatment patterns. This might help in destigmatizing this group of patients and improving schizophrenia-related health outcomes.
Hamann
J
J
Psychiatric Department, Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Technische Universität München, Möhlstrasse 26, 81675 Munich, Germany. j.hamann@lrz.tum.de
Langer
B
B
Winkler
V
V
Busch
R
R
Cohen
R
R
Leucht
S
S
Kissling
W
W
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006285:Health Planning / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006783:Hospitals, State; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires