Patient Involvement in Medical Decision-Making

Patient involvement has become a vibrant topic in the multidisciplinary healthcare field. As previous studies show, involving patients in medical decision-making can improve patient motivation, well-being, confidence, and treatment outcomes. Despite much progress, large scale patient involvement remains limited. Paradoxically, while most patients and physicians prefer involvement, they refrain from practicing it. This study examines this contradiction by investigating patients’ perspectives, preferences, and sensemaking that guide their understanding of patient involvement. Based on a systematic review of 99 articles, a field study on patient preferences, and 24 in-depth patient interviews, we provide framworks that take into account the individual perspectives for involvement. Our findings explain some of the current shortcomings of patient involvement and guide the use of involvement interventions, effective participation in care, and the use of medical information such as patient decision aids.