Shared decision making for in‐patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective: Patients’ participation in treatment planning is being increasingly advocated in mental health. The model of ‘Shared Decision Making’ (SDM) is proposed as a promising method of engaging patients in medical decisions and improving health‐related outcomes. In the present study, the feasibility and effects of SDM for in‐patients with schizophrenia should be evaluated. Method: Randomized controlled trial comparing a SDM program with routine care (n = 107). Results: The intervention studied was feasible for most of the patients and did not take up more of the doctors’ time. Patients in the intervention group had a better knowledge about their disease (P = 0.01) and a higher perceived involvement in medical decisions (P = 0.03). The intervention increased the uptake of psychoeducation (P = 0.003). Conclusion: Sharing medical decisions with acutely ill in‐patients with schizophrenia is in many cases possible and improves important treatment patterns. This might help in destigmatizing this group of patients and improving schizophrenia‐related health outcomes.