Intervention for advanced heart failure patients and their caregivers to support shared decision-making about implantation of a ventricular assist device.

Abstract

This project aimed to co-develop and pilot an intervention plan to support shared decision-making (SDM) for patients considering a ventricular assist device (VAD), their caregivers and the health care team. The project involved a focus group with patients and caregivers to explore their decision-making needs along with regular participation in team meetings resulting in the creation of a decision aid. The decision aid answered needs expressed by patients and caregivers, as well as the team's initial needsfor informational support, optimization of information exchange and process standardization. A workshop on SDM was also conducted to increase competence toward this approach and the use of the decision aid. This project is timely and relevant given the increase in VAD implantation in Canada. The intervention could also be applicable to other decision-making situations in which active participation can improve the quality of the decision process.