Shared Decision-making between health care providers and patients at a Tertiary Hospital Diabetic Clinic in Tanzania
Abstract BackgroundPatients’ participation in decision making regarding their treatment is defined in ethical, legal and human rights standards in the provision of care that concerns health providers and the entire community.ObjectiveTo assess practices and challenges of diabetic patients and healthcare providers’ participation in shared decision making at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam.MethodsThis study employed a phenomenological study design using in-depth interview technique. Study participants were diabetic patients visiting the clinic and healthcare providers working at Muhimbili national hospital. Data was collected using the semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions using an audio digital recorder. Content analysis method was used during analysis whereby categories were reached through the process of coding with assistance by Nvivo 12 software.ResultsThe study found that most participants participate in shared decision making. Few patients indicated partial participation in shared decision making. Decision aids were found important for execution of shared decision making but they are scarce. Likewise, the study found that beliefs and values, time and education level are barriers to shared decision making.ConclusionAlthough this study indicated that shared decision making is practiced at Muhimbili national hospital, further search in this area is needed to be done in other hospitals.