Shared Decision-Making Training in Family Medicine Residency: A Scoping Review
Article information
Abstract
Shared decisions, in which physicians and patients share their agendas and make clinical decisions together, are optimal for patient-centered care. Shared decision-making (SDM) training in family medicine residency is always provided, but the best training approach for improving clinical practice is unclear. This review aims to identify the scope of the literature on SDM training in family medicine residency to better understand the opportunities for training in this area. Four databases (Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched from their inception to November 2022. The search was limited to English language and text words for the following four components: (1) family medicine, (2) residency, (3) SDM, and (4) training. Of the 522 unique articles, six studies were included for data extraction and synthesis. Four studies referenced three training programs that included SDM and disease- or condition-specific issues. These programs showed positive effects on family medicine residents’ knowledge, skills, and willingness to engage in SDM. Two studies outlined the requirements for SDM training in postgraduate medical education at the national level, and detailed the educational needs of family medicine residents. Purposeful SDM training during family medicine residency improves residents’ knowledge, skills, and willingness to engage in SDM. Future studies should explore the effects of SDM training on clinical practice and patient care.
INTRODUCTION
In primary care settings, clinical decisions are a part of daily practice. Although it is recognized that shared decision-making (SDM) between physicians and patients is optimal, this is not regularly implemented in clinical practice [1]. Lack of SDM can have several negative consequences including affecting the physician-patient relationship, negatively impacting physician and patient satisfaction, and increasing risk of medico-legal issues [2,3]. The spectrum of clinical decision-making spans a paternalistic model at one end—which has been the traditional approach in medicine historically—and an informed, patient-centered choice model at the other end [2,4-7]. The paternalistic model illustrates an unequal power structure between physicians and patients where physicians tend to make decisions based on the what they consider as a patients’ best interest [3]. Inversely, the informed choice model is a shift of power from physicians to patients based on a patient’s autonomy and other ethical principles such as beneficence and nonmaleficence [8]. An SDM model is a middle ground, that takes into account physician and patient perspectives [2].
Therefore, SDM represents a more equal distribution of power between physicians and patients [3]. SDM supports clinical decision-making through discussion, negotiation, and agreement based on physician expertise (e.g., clinical knowledge and skills, resources, patient’s conditions) and patient factors (e.g., values, beliefs, knowledge, psychosocial background) [3]. Accordingly, SDM is defined as “an approach where clinicians and patients share the best available evidence when faced with the task of making decisions, and where patients are supported to consider options, to achieve informed preferences.” [9] Participants who are exposed to SDM express higher trust in their physicians and are less likely to resort to formal complaints or legal action [10]. Furthermore, a systematic review concluded that SDM was an effective and useful method to employ to reach a treatment agreement for making long-term decisions [11].
Thus, SDM is a practical and applicable approach for primary care and family medicine practice [2,3,12,13]. However, a lack of familiarity with SDM is a barrier to implementing it in clinical practice [14]. Structured and standardized training activities have been shown to improve the implementation of SDM in clinical practice [15-17]. However, the literature on training or educational programs for SDM in family medicine residency and their impact is limited. This study aimed to explore the impact of SDM training in family medicine residency.
METHODS
This scoping review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-extension for scoping reviews [18].
1. Search Methods and Databases
A systematic search was performed using the following four databases: Embase (via Ovid), MEDLINE (via PubMed interface), Scopus, and Web of Science. The search retrieved articles published from the inception of each database to November 9, 2022. The search terms were related to SDM training in family medicine residencies and included the following four components: (1) family medicine, (2) residency, (3) SDM, and (4) training. Terms within each component were combined using the Boolean “OR,” and the Boolean “AND.” The search terms were applied to each database, and the syntax was modified for each database, if appropriate (Appendix 1).
2. Study Selection and Eligible Criteria
The study selection method followed the PRISMA flow version 2020 [19]. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) articles related to SDM training in family medicine residency, (2) articles representing a primary study, and (3) articles published in English. Articles were excluded if they met one of the following criteria: (1) non-empirical studies (e.g., systematic review, scoping review, narrative review), (2) non-research articles (e.g., review article, study protocol, perspective, opinion, commentary, editorial, letter to the editor, book chapter), (3) conference abstracts, or (4) articles not published in English.
3. Data Extraction and Synthesis
General information was extracted from each article, including the first author’s name, year of publication, and country of study. Each study was extracted to describe its design, participants and settings, educational programs/trainings/components, and outcomes. Study characteristics, educational components, and SDM outcomes were qualitatively synthesized.
RESULTS
Of the 813 articles found in the four databases, duplicate removal yielded 522 articles and abstract review yielded 14 articles. After full-text review, six articles were selected for synthesis (Figure 1).
1. Characteristics of the Included Studies
Of the six studies, four studies [20-23] were conducted in Canada and two studies [1,24] in the Netherlands. All studies were published after 2000, and half of them were published between 2021 and 2022 [1,22,24]. A variety of study designs were employed: pre- and post-interventional studies [20,22] randomized controlled trials [23], mixed-methods studies [21], Delphi studies [1], and qualitative studies [24]. Table 1 summarizes the details of the included studies.
One study was conducted to obtain expert opinions and did not include family medicine residents as study participants [1]. Five studies included family medicine residents as a target population [20-24]. Three studies included only family medicine residents [20,22,24], whereas two studies had mixed participants, that is, family medicine residents and other health practitioners such as family physicians and nurses [21,23].
2. Shared Decision-Making Training in Family Medicine Residency
Three training programs (decision boxes [Dboxes], DECISION+2, SDM-family medicine [SDM-FM]) were implemented in family medicine residency training in Canada [20-23]. All training programs incorporated the concepts of SDM and disease- or condition-specific issues. Two studies conducted by Baghus et al. [1,24] highlighted the requirements of SDM training in postgraduate medical specialty training and family medicine residency.
One of the studies used Dboxes which consist of eight training tools for clinician-patient communication and SDM for eight clinical situations (i.e., reduction in symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, prevention of cardiovascular disease [aspirin], screening for colorectal cancer, screening for fetal trisomy 21, prevention of cardiovascular disease [statins], evaluating risks of breast and ovarian cancers, prevention of osteoporotic fractures, and screening for prostate cancer) [21]. Family medicine residents had positive perspectives towards several aspects of the Dboxes as effective training tools for SDM and useful tools for communicating with patients using SDM concepts [21]. However, some barriers, such as clarity and complexity of the tools, were highlighted [21].
The DECISION+2 study focused on SDM for acute respiratory tract infections [20,23]. The format of DECISION+2 was changed across the three cohorts of family medicine residents that participated in the study. Initially for the 1st cohort, the program comprised a five-module online self-tutorial and an interactive workshop [20,23]. Subsequently, for the second cohort, the interactive workshop was removed, as the workload of the program was considered too heavy, and only a five-module tutorial was used [20]. Finally, for the third cohort, an additional module was inserted as a six-module online tutorial [20].
Dion et al. [20] in 2016 investigated the effects of SDM training on acute respiratory tract infections among three cohorts of family medicine residents. The scores for overall knowledge and knowledge of each domain (diagnosis, treatment, and SDM) significantly improved (P<0.001) [20]. However, a small effect of the training on SDM knowledge was reported compared to other domains (diagnosis and treatment) [20].
Légaré et al. [23] in 2012 conducted a cluster randomized trial focusing on the DECISION+2 initiative and showed that patients who consulted physicians in the intervention group, had a significantly lower rate of antibiotic use compared to the control group (27.2% versus 52.2%). A subgroup analysis among residents showed positive outcomes such as a reduction in antibiotic use among patients between the intervention group (28.6%) and the control group (46.7%) [23]. The training improved patients’ active roles in the decision-making process (intervention group: 67% versus control group: 49%, P<0.001) [23].
The SDM-FM consisted of a 1-hour online lecture and a 1-hour online workshop [22]. The lecture included the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommendations and SDM key issues [22]. The workshop emphasized the use of patient decision aids and optimal communication practices [22]. Grad et al. [22] evaluated the willingness to engage in SDM among family medicine residents before and 6 months after the SDM-FM program. Overall scores increased from 6.96 (out of 10) to 7.39 (P=0.007) post program [22]. There was a statistically significant improvement in residents’ confidence in using SDM in clinical practice from 6.43 to 7.61 (P<0.001) [22].
Baghus et al. [1,24] conducted two studies related to family medicine residency in the Netherlands. One study sought consensus around entrustable professional activities (EPAs) and behavioral indicators for SDM for all postgraduate medical specialty programs at the national level [1]. Four EPAs and 18 behavioral indicators were established [1]. The other study focused on the needs of SDM learning in family medicine residents which was identified as an area of priority for the residency curriculum [24]. Some areas of need that were identified in terms of building resident capacity for participating in SDM included knowledge of SDM processes, communication skills, as well as diagnostic and treatment options [24]. This study suggested that teaching SDM should happen in a longitudinal and integrated fashion [24]. A variety of teaching and learning activities were considered to support improvement in SDM skills. These included workplace-based practices, video-recorded consultations, role-playing opportunities, learning from concrete examples and guidelines, and reflection and feedback [24].
Figure 2 illustrates the SDM training program for medical condition-specific topics based on diagnostics, preventive health, and treatment options. Figure 3 summarizes SDM training formats, expected competencies, evaluation methods, and suggested assessments.
DISCUSSION
Six studies related to SDM training in family medicine residency from four databases were included in this scoping review. All of the studies were contemporary, reflecting that this is an upcoming area of research. Four studies focused on three SDM training programs and demonstrated positive effects on family medicine residents’ knowledge, skills, and willingness to engage in SDM. This lends credibility to further exploring how SDM can be incorporated into training programs.
SDM was introduced to academic fields in the late 1980s and early 1990s [25]. However, all the studies included in this scoping review were published after the 2020s. This reflects slow progress in SDM training in family medicine residency. A possible reason for this could be that SDM may not be emphasized as a core component of physician-patient interactions compared to the concept of patient-centered care. Therefore, there is a need to highlight SDM concepts formally in postgraduate family medicine education. In addition, two studies on DECISION+2 revealed that dynamic changes are needed, with learning activities adjusted based on feedback from residents to best address their needs, which can be time-consuming to implement [20,23].
Interestingly, all programs included online elements, such as online lectures, workshops, and modules. This reflects the changing educational landscape in which online learning is an integral part of disseminating information. Web-based training programs for SDM have been implemented in different settings for clinicians [26-28]. Electronic learning (e-learning) and online learning have been used in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education for more than a decade [29-34]. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic was a catalyst for a new online era in medical education [35]. Although online learning opportunities can be effectively used to deliver SDM training in family medicine residency training, the development and implementation of learning materials are considered challenges in online medical education [36]. Furthermore, any online training program should be designed based on users’ needs and context [37].
A systematic review by Singh Ospina et al. [38] revealed a variety of educational programs for SDM for various groups of learners. Programs ranged from a few hours to several months and consisted of online and in-person activities [38]. However, the effectiveness of educational programs for SDM remain inconclusive [38]. This highlights that educational initiatives around SDM require further exploration and study.
Two studies focused on different educational aspects of SDM. One study examined expert opinions on developing EPAs, which are known to be effective educational tools [1]. The study also looked at behavioral indicators for SDM at the national level for all postgraduate medical specialty programs [1]. Another study explored the needs of family medicine residents for SDM training, including knowledge and skills, practice, reflection and feedback, longitudinal and integrated training, and awareness [24].
Each educational program included in this scoping review consisted of two main components: medical conditions related to SDM and SDM concepts [20-23]. Although the educational programs were effective in improving overall SDM competencies, several SDM domains related to knowledge, skills, and attitudes should be emphasized in the training. Diouf et al. [39] reviewed potential training strategies for SDM that presented a wide range of effectiveness, from 0 (self-appraisal learning) to 60% (peer-to-peer group learning). A Cochrane review analyzed interventions to increase the use of SDM by healthcare professionals [40]. Educational interventions (e.g., educational meetings, educational materials, and educational outreach visits) had uncertain effects on the use of SDM [40].
All the included studies were conducted in only two high-income countries (Canada and the Netherlands). This is an important consideration when applying the findings of the present study. Each country has a different context in terms of family medicine residency training, clinical situations, patient characteristics, health systems, and cultural backgrounds. SDM cannot be separated from these factors. Therefore, SDM training in family medicine residency should be adjusted and designed based on context-specific considerations.
The results of this scoping review and previous systematic reviews support further research on SDM programs. Studies on SDM training in family medicine residency are scarce. Future educational programs should focus on the needs of family medicine residents in the context of training and clinical practice. Evidence-based theories and methods should be considered when developing and implementing new educational programs for SDM that are dynamic and responsive to residents’ needs. Knowledge of common medical conditions related to SDM should be introduced to family medicine residents. Training in SDM concepts may need to focus on higher levels (i.e., level 3: behavior and level 4: results) of training outcomes, according to the Kirkpatrick model [41].
This scoping review had several strengths. To increase the yield of search results, the review included studies that focused on family medicine residents and other participants. Studies with any design were included to fully appreciate the breadth of the literature. This study has two major limitations. First, all the included studies were conducted in Canada and the Netherlands. This may limit the generalizability of the results. Second, various outcome measurements were identified in the small number of included studies. Therefore, the results of this scoping review may not represent clear patterns and common methods used for SDM training in family medicine residency.
CONCLUSION
This scoping review highlights the characteristics of SDM training among family medicine residents. Based on a few studies, existing SDM training programs reflect positive outcomes in improving residents’ knowledge, skills, and willingness to engage in SDM in clinical practice. Standardized tools, such as EPAs and behavioral indicators for SDM in family medicine residency are needed to better quantify educational outcomes. The design and implementation of SDM training programs should be based on the needs and contexts of family medicine residents. Future studies should explore the effects of SDM training on clinical practice and patient care.
Notes
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.