Information provision and attentive listening as determinants of patient perceptions of shared decision-making around chronic illnesses.
BACKGROUND
While chronic illnesses are a major concern of the health system worldwide, little is known about patients-physicians communication. Growing demand for patient-centered care and shared decision-making have increased the interest for patients-physicians communication. Based on previous literature, we propose a model in which the effect of information provision and attentive listening over patients' perceptions of shared decision-making (PPSDM) is mediated by the variables self-efficacy and proactivity. Primary data were collected between April and August 2014 through an online survey of patients with haemophilia. Haemophilia is a chronic disease in which many options of treatment are available. The right option depends, to some extent, on patient's preferences. In this context, great uncertainty exists when choosing treatment option and shared decision-making plays an essential role.


RESULTS
A total of 181 patients with haemophilia participated in the survey. The psychometric properties of the measurement scales were evaluated by means of a confirmatory factor analysis. A structural equation model was designed. Results show that provision of information and attentive listening determine PPSDM through patients' self-efficacy and proactivity in requesting information.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to incorporate communication training in medical education, particularly provision of information and attentive listening. These skills help the healthcare professional to gain a deeper understanding of the patient. Furthermore, provision of information and attentive listening are fundamental in helping patients not to undervalue their personal knowledge and expertise in relation to their doctors. These strategies encourage them to adopt a more active position in requesting information. Encouraging a proactive behaviour of patients and their relatives helps them to realize the need to participate and to make them feel that they are part of the decision-making process.
Biomedicine and Health Cluster, Business Administration Department, School of Economy and Business, University of Oviedo, Avenida del Cristo s/n, 33071 Oviedo, Asturias Spain ; Spanish Federation of Haemophilia, Madrid, Spain.
Ana-Belén
0000-0002-9716-8269
AB
Del Río-Lanza
Biomedicine and Health Cluster, Business Administration Department, School of Economy and Business, University of Oviedo, Avenida del Cristo s/n, 33071 Oviedo, Asturias Spain.
Leticia
L
Suárez-Álvarez
Biomedicine and Health Cluster, Business Administration Department, School of Economy and Business, University of Oviedo, Avenida del Cristo s/n, 33071 Oviedo, Asturias Spain.
Ana
A
Suárez-Vázquez
Biomedicine and Health Cluster, Business Administration Department, School of Economy and Business, University of Oviedo, Avenida del Cristo s/n, 33071 Oviedo, Asturias Spain.
Rodolfo
R
Vázquez-Casielles
Chronic disease; Communication programs; Decision making; Patient-centered care; Patients perspective; Physician–patient relations; Proactive behaviour; Self efficacy