title: Client preferences affect treatment satisfaction, completion, and clinical outcome: a meta-analysis.
abstract: We conducted a meta-analysis on the effects of client preferences on treatment satisfaction, completion, and clinical outcome. Our search of the literature resulted in 34 empirical articles describing 32 unique clinical trials that either randomized some clients to an active choice condition (shared decision making condition or choice of treatment) or assessed client preferences. Clients who were involved in shared decision making, chose a treatment condition, or otherwise received their preferred treatment evidenced higher treatment satisfaction (ESd=.34; p<.001), increased completion rates (ESOR=1.37; ESd=.17; p<.001), and superior clinical outcome (ESd=.15; p<.0001), compared to clients who were not involved in shared decision making, did not choose a treatment condition, or otherwise did not receive their preferred treatment. Although the effect sizes are modest in magnitude, they were generally consistent across several potential moderating variables including study design (preference versus active choice), psychoeducation (informed versus uninformed), setting (inpatient versus outpatient), client diagnosis (mental health versus other), and unit of randomization (client versus provider). Our findings highlight the clinical benefit of assessing client preferences, providing treatment choices when two or more efficacious options are available, and involving clients in treatment-related decisions when treatment options are not available.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, United States. Electronic address: lindhiemoj@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lindhiem
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, United States.
authors.forename: Charles B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University, United States.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Trentacosta
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University, United States.
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McLear
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Completion; Outcome; Patient preference; Satisfaction; Shared decision making; Treatment choice