BACKGROUND: As part of the process of developing a decision aid for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) according to the Ottawa Decision Support Framework, we were interested in the level of 'decisional conflict' of hand surgeons and patients with CTS. This study addresses the null hypothesis that there is no difference between surgeon and patient decisional conflict with respect to test and treatment options for CTS. Secondary analyses assess the impact of patient and physician demographics and the strength of the patient-physician relationship on decisional conflict. METHODS: One-hundred-twenty-three observers of the Science of Variation Group (SOVG) and 84 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome completed a survey regarding the Decisional Conflict Scale. Patients also filled out the Pain Self-efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) and the Patient Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9). RESULTS: On average, patients had significantly greater decision conflict and scored higher on most subscales of the decisional conflict scale than hand surgeons. Factors associated with greater decision conflict were specific hand surgeon, less self-efficacy (confidence that one can achieve one's goals in spite of pain), and higher PDRQ (relationship between patient and doctor). Surgeons from Europe have--on average--significantly more decision conflict than surgeons in the United States of America. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CTS have more decision conflict than hand surgeons. Decision aids might help narrow this gap in decisional conflict.
BACKGROUND: As part of the process of developing a decision aid for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) according to the Ottawa Decision Support Framework, we were interested in the level of 'decisional conflict' of hand surgeons and patients with CTS. This study addresses the null hypothesis that there is no difference between surgeon and patient decisional conflict with respect to test and treatment options for CTS. Secondary analyses assess the impact of patient and physician demographics and the strength of the patient-physician relationship on decisional conflict. METHODS: One-hundred-twenty-three observers of the Science of Variation Group (SOVG) and 84 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome completed a survey regarding the Decisional Conflict Scale. Patients also filled out the Pain Self-efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) and the Patient Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9). RESULTS: On average, patients had significantly greater decision conflict and scored higher on most subscales of the decisional conflict scale than hand surgeons. Factors associated with greater decision conflict were specific hand surgeon, less self-efficacy (confidence that one can achieve one's goals in spite of pain), and higher PDRQ (relationship between patient and doctor). Surgeons from Europe have--on average--significantly more decision conflict than surgeons in the United States of America. CONCLUSIONS:Patients with CTS have more decision conflict than hand surgeons. Decision aids might help narrow this gap in decisional conflict.
Authors: E A Phelan; R A Deyo; D C Cherkin; J N Weinstein; M A Ciol; W Kreuter; J F Howe Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2001-01-15 Impact factor: 3.468
Authors: Ruth E Davis; Gina Dolan; Sue Thomas; Christine Atwell; Donna Mead; Sarah Nehammer; Laurie Moseley; Adrian Edwards; Glyn Elwyn Journal: Health Expect Date: 2003-09 Impact factor: 3.377
Authors: Christina M Van der Feltz-Cornelis; Patricia Van Oppen; Harm W J Van Marwijk; Edwin De Beurs; Richard Van Dyck Journal: Gen Hosp Psychiatry Date: 2004 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 3.238