Supporting patients and family members facing treatment choices in chronic kidney disease: What do professionals think of the decision aids used? - Professionals’ views on treatment decision support tools

Abstract

Context: Research has explored health care providers' perceptions of shared medical decision-making, but to our knowledge, no study in France has examined their use of decision aids. The objective of this study was to explore how nephrology professionals use and perceive the tools designed to support patients with chronic kidney disease and their families when choosing a treatment.

Methodology: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 professionals involved in treatment decisions for chronic kidney disease. The data were processed using inductive thematic content analysis.

Results: Seven themes emerged from the analyses, highlighting both the wide variety of tools used and the central role played by professional stance in how they are used. The technical sophistication of these tools should not replace interaction between patients and health care professionals. According to the participants, the ideal tool should facilitate learning, empower patients, and strengthen the relationship between health care professionals and patients, or even between health care professionals and family members . The role accorded to family members varied greatly among respondents, with some expressing a degree of ambivalence regarding whether and how they should be involved in using these decision-making support tools.

Conclusion: This study documents the existence of a wide variety of tools used by health care professionals. Beyond their informational role, these tools fulfil many other functions. On the basis of these results, a survey of a broad panel of professionals would provide a more detailed picture of practices in France.