Fast and frugal tools for shared decision-making: how to develop Option Grids

Abstract

Option Grids provide a fast and frugal approach to supporting shared decision-making, providing a promising solution to the implementation gap experienced by longer decision aids. On one page they present evidence-based summaries of the available condition-specific treatment options, alongside patients' frequently asked questions, helping patients to discuss the key features, risks and benefits of treatment options in relation to their personal values and preferences. They are designed to be sufficiently brief enough for use in clinical encounters and accessible enough to support a better dialogue between patients and clinicians. The Option Grid Collaborative was formed in 2009 and operates on a not-for-profit basis to manage the development process as well as provide support to around 65 multi-disciplinary stakeholders currently involved in developing Option Grids. The Option Grid website (www.optiongrid.org) hosts 13 Option Grids and there are a further 31 Option Grids in development as of January 2013. This paper provides guidance for individuals or teams who are interested in facilitating shared decision-making using short tools on how to develop an Option Grid.

The information and decision support needs of older women (>75 yrs) facing treatment choices for breast cancer: a qualitative study

“…Option grids are one page tools that summarise information and compare different treatment options in a ‘frequently asked questions’ format, presented in everyday language . The women liked the succinct content and presentation style of these grids:

‘.. when you've read about six pages you put it down..... and as you get older them six pages you never get past because you keep reading the same ones.

…”

Patients’ views on the use of an Option Grid for knee osteoarthritis in physiotherapy clinical encounters: An interview study

“…The Option Grid for osteoarthritis of the knee was developed by a team of clinicians and academics with an interest in SDM, musculoskeletal conditions and pain management. User testing informed its refinement . The Option Grid presents three recommended treatment options in a tabular format: pain killers, intra‐articular corticosteroid injections, and knee replacement surgery for symptoms refractory to non‐surgical treatment .…”

“…User testing informed its refinement. 17 The Option Grid presents three recommended treatment options in a tabular format: pain killers, intra-articular corticosteroid injections, and knee replacement surgery for symptoms refractory to non-surgical treatment. 18 Patients' frequently asked questions are listed on the side of the grid, allowing readers to compare answers across the three treatment options.…”

The Information and decision support needs of older women (>75 yrs) facing treatment choices for breast cancer: A qualitative study

“…Option grids are one page tools that summarise information and compare different treatment options in a 'frequently asked questions' format, presented in everyday language [24]. The women liked the succinct content and presentation style of these grids: Of the women interviewed 10 stated they had access to the internet but only 5 said they used it, and this was primarily for shopping or communicating with family and friends.…”