Decision aids for people facing health treatment or screening decisions

Abstract

This review is published as a Cochrane Review in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 4. Cochrane Reviews are regularly updated as new evidence emerges and in response to comments and criticisms, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews should be consulted for the most recent version of the Review.

Assessing Patient Participation in Health Policy Decision-Making in Cyprus

“…30,31 As a response to this requirement, many countries have adopted a "bottom-up" approach as a capacity building strategy in order to facilitate the involvement of patient groups in health decision-making. 16,21 In several European countries, in conjunction with federal and regional health councils and targeted interventions, participatory decision-making processes have been integrated in law formulation, so as to facilitate patient groups to freely express their opinion and to participate equally in health policy decision-making. 2,8,16,20,21,31 Results of the present study should be interpreted in light of the following limitations.…”

“…16,21 In several European countries, in conjunction with federal and regional health councils and targeted interventions, participatory decision-making processes have been integrated in law formulation, so as to facilitate patient groups to freely express their opinion and to participate equally in health policy decision-making. 2,8,16,20,21,31 Results of the present study should be interpreted in light of the following limitations. Even though participants were recruited from the organizations-members of the PFPA, which is an umbrella organization representing Cypriot patients at national and international level, we cannot claim that the sample was representative of the patient population in Cyprus.…”

“…For example, a growing body of research indicates that low health literacy; lack of training on advocacy and lobbying issues and poor knowledge of the health system, its operations and processes, all contribute to hampering PA participation in health policy decision-making. 2,21,32,33 Since patient involvement in health policy decision-making is a necessary premise to improve the quality and performance of health systems and services as well as the health outcomes of the population, it is important to explore the barriers patients and patient organizations tackle throughout this process. In this way, we will be able to develop appropriate and adequate interventions and policies that would foster their participation in a sufficient and effective manner.…”

“…15,[17][18][19][20] Evidence has indicated that although efforts aimed to improve patient participation have been intensified, only few of these initiatives have been evaluated. 21 As a result of this, a lot of resources are spent without the anticipated impact. Assessing patient involvement in different stages of health policy decision-making processes could shed light on barriers preventing individuals from having a more active role in the development of programs and policies impacting on their health.…”

Risk communication in consultations about hormone therapy in the menopause: concordance in risk assessment and framing due to the context

“…A common feature of the studied consultations was that decision aids were not used. Decision aids have been shown to be effective both in transferring knowledge and in enabling patients to participate in decision-making without increasing their anxiety 41 . In order to realize the potential of decision aids to help patients to understand the consequences of different treatment alternatives better, they have to be used in a structured way together with the patient before, during, and if possible in a follow-up of the consultation.…”