A systematic review of patient-practitioner communication interventions involving treatment decisions.
To examine the: 1) methodological quality of interventions examining strategies to improve patient-practitioner communication involving treatment decisions; 2) effectiveness of strategies to improve patient-practitioner communication involving treatment decisions; and 3) types of treatment decisions (emergency/non-emergency) in the included studies.



Medline, PsychINFO, CINAHL, and Embase were searched to identify intervention studies. To be included, studies were required to examine patient-practitioner communication related to decision making about treatment. Study methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane's Effective Practice and Organisation of Care risk of bias criteria. Study design, sample characteristics, intervention details, and outcomes were extracted.



Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. No studies were rated low risk on all nine risk of bias criteria. Two of the three interventions aimed at changing patient behaviour, two of the five practitioner directed, and one of the three patient-practitioner directed interventions demonstrated an effect on decision-making outcomes. No studies examined emergency treatment decisions.



Existing studies have a high risk of bias and are poorly reported. There is some evidence to suggest patient-directed interventions may be effective in improving decision-making outcomes.



It is imperative that an evidence-base is developed to inform clinical practice.
Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Public Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Alice.Grady@newcastle.edu.au.
Alice
A
Grady
Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Public Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Mariko.Carey@newcastle.edu.au.
Mariko
M
Carey
Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Public Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Jamie.Bryant@newcastle.edu.au.
Jamie
J
Bryant
Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Public Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Rob.Sanson-Fisher@newcastle.edu.au.
Rob
R
Sanson-Fisher
Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Public Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Breanne.Hobden@newcastle.edu.au.
Breanne
B
Hobden
D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D006801:Humans; D010358:Patient Participation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations
Communication; Decision making; Systematic review; Treatment