Evaluation of a program for routine implementation of shared decision-making in cancer care: results of a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial (29 December 2021)

Summary

This German study in the journal Implementation Science aimed to evaluate an empirically and theoretically grounded implementation program for shared decision making (SDM) in cancer care. The program included six elements:

1. Training for health care professionals
2. Individual coaching for physicians
3. Patient activation intervention
4. Patient information material/decision aids
5. Revision of quality management documents
6. Reflection on multidisciplinary team meetings.

The results showed no statistically significant improvement in SDM uptake and the authors conclude that this may be because of the low reach of the study. They call for further research to understand factors influencing the uptake of SDM in cancer care.