Clinician-patient communication during the diagnostic workup: The ABIDE project

Abstract

Introduction

We aimed to describe clinician-patient communication in the diagnostic process of memory clinics, specifically clinician behavior known to facilitate knowledgeable participation of patients during consultations.

Methods

In this multicenter, observational study, we audio-recorded routine diagnostic consultations of 41 clinicians and 136 patients/caregivers at eight memory clinics. Patients/caregivers completed surveys after each audiotaped consultation. We used a study-specific coding scheme to categorize communication behavior.

Results

Clinicians often provided information on (results of) diagnostic testing. They infrequently invited questions and/or checked understanding. Clinician behavior to involve patients in decision-making about diagnostic testing was limited. Of note, patients/caregivers rarely expressed their information or involvement preferences. Yet, approximately, one quarter of them would have liked to receive more information.

Discussion

Involving patients more explicitly by means of shared decision-making could benefit the quality of care provided in memory clinics because it enables clinicians to attune the diagnostic workup to the individual patient's needs.

Highlights

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  Considering patient preferences in the diagnostic process enables personalized care.

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  Knowledgeable participation in diagnostic consultations is therefore warranted.

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  Clinicians often provided information on diagnostic procedures and test results.

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  Yet, they showed limited behavior to promote patients' understanding.

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  And patients were seldom involved in decision-making about diagnostic testing.