Shared decision making in secondary care: rheumatologic patient's perspective

• Grant number: 12/05033-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2012
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Mirhelen Mendes de Abreu
• Grantee: Raphael Battisti
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Physician and patient encounter has been constantly changing and has often been influenced by social changes. This relation has been the focus of some scientific investigations. However, the theme of shared decision-making is incipient in both medical research and clinical practice in Brazil. Designed as a cross-sectional study, the present research aims to analyze rheumatologic patients' perceptions regarding their participation in their individual health care decisions. Rheumatologic patients at the Specialty Medical Unity in São Carlos - Brazil - will be invited to participate in this study right before their encounter with their physician. A pilot study will be designed to develop and validate a questionnaire to map distinct aspects of the clinical encounters, including shared decision making. After validation, the questionnaire will be applied to a sample. The patient's perspective will be quantitatively analyzed, through descriptive and inferential statistical methods. This way, a more accurate picture of the patient's view on his whole health care process will be framed. New studies on the shared decisions may remodel the patient-physician encounter.(AU)