Behaviors by Clinical Therapists Necessary for Shared Decision-Making in the Rehabilitation Area -Results of Focus Group Interview in the Field of Physical Disability-

Abstract

Introduction: In this study, we examined the behaviors by clinical therapists necessary for shared decision-making (SDM) in the rehabilitation area.

Methods: Five physical and occupational therapists participated in a focus group interview conducted using semi-structured interview protocols. The interview questions were: i) what skills do therapists need to involve patients in clinical decisions; ii) what would constitute a successful shared decision between a patient and a therapist; iii) what stages could be identified and observed in clinical decisions; and iv) are there any other elements necessary for SDM. From transcripts of the recorded interviews, qualitative thematic analysis was used to extract the behaviors in clinical therapists necessary for SDM in the rehabilitation area.

Results: As a result of the analysis, 16 elements were extracted as behaviors by clinical therapists necessary for SDM in the rehabilitation area. The extracted elements were classified into two categories: providing information to patients (disorder, patient's role, options, purpose of rehabilitation, incorporation of patient opinion, and satisfactory explanation) and gathering information from patients (knowledge, preference, expectation, way of life, hope, understanding, question, opinion on recommendation, disagreement, mutual agreement).

Conclusion: In this study, the elements based on the decision-making situation in the rehabilitation area were extracted from the behaviors by clinical therapists necessary for SDM.