What motivates family physicians to participate in training programs in shared decision making?
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the factors that influence family physician (FP) participation in continuing professional development (CPD) programs in shared decision making (SDM). We sought to identify the factors that motivate FPs to participate in DECISION+, a CPD program in SDM.


METHODS
In 2007-2008, we collected data from 39 FPs who participated in a pilot randomized trial of DECISION+. In 2010, we collected data again from 11 of those participants and from 12 new subjects. Based on the theory of planned behavior, our questionnaire assessed FPs' intentions to participate in a CPD program in SDM and evaluated FPs' attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. We also conducted 4 focus groups to explore FPs' salient beliefs.


RESULTS
In 2010, FPs' mean intention to participate in a CPD program in SDM was relatively strong (2.6 ± 0.5 on a scale from -3 = "strongly disagree" to +3 = "strongly agree"). Affective attitude was the only factor significantly associated with intention (r = .51, p = .04). FPs identified the attractions of participating in a CPD program in SDM as (1) its interest, (2) the pleasure of learning, and (3) professional stimulation. Facilitators of their participation were (1) a relevant clinical topic, (2) an interactive program, (3) an accessible program, and (4) decision support tools.


CONCLUSIONS
To attract FPs to a CPD program in SDM, CPD developers should make the program interesting, enjoyable, and professionally stimulating. They should choose a clinically relevant topic, ensure that the program is interactive and accessible, and include decision support tools.
Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Quebec City, Quebec, G1L 3L5, Canada.
Anne-Sophie
AS
Allaire
Michel
M
Labrecque
Anik
A
Giguere
Marie-Pierre
MP
Gagnon
France
F
Légaré
D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011792:Quebec; D058992:Social Participation; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors