Examining chronic care patient preferences for involvement in health‐care decision making: the case of Parkinson's disease patients in a patient‐centred clinic

BACKGROUND: Patient‐centred care is a recommended model of care for Parkinson's disease (PD). It aims to provide care that is respectful and responsive to patient preferences, values and perspectives. Provision of patient‐centred care should entail considering how patients want to be involved in their care. OBJECTIVE: To understand the participation preferences of patients with PD from a patient‐centred care clinic in health‐care decision‐making processes. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Mixed‐methods study with early‐stage Parkinson's disease patients from a patient‐centred care clinic. Study involved a modified Autonomy Preference Index survey (N=65) and qualitative, semi‐structured in‐depth interviews, analysed using thematic qualitative content analysis (N=20, purposefully selected from survey participants). Interviews examined (i) the patient preferences for involvement in health‐care decision making; (ii) patient perspectives on the patient–physician relationship; and (iii) patient preferences for communication of information relevant to decision making. RESULTS: Preferences for participation in decision making varied between individuals and also within individuals depending on decision type, relational and contextual factors. Patients had high preferences for communication of information, but with acknowledged limits. The importance of communication in the patient–physician relationship was emphasized. DISCUSSION: Patient preferences for involvement in decision making are dynamic and support shared decision making. Relational autonomy corresponds to how patients envision their participation in decision making. Clinicians may need to assess patient preferences on an on‐going basis. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the complexities of decision‐making processes. Improved understanding of individual preferences could enhance respect for persons and make for patient‐centred care that is truly respectful of individual patients’ wants, needs and values.