Patient Involvement in Decision-Making: An Important Parameter for Better Patient Experience—An Observational Study (STROBE Compliant)

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Preferences of service users is an important consideration for developing health-care services. This study aimed to assess the experiences of the patients with substance use disorders who were admitted to a tertiary health-care facility in India. METHOD: This cross-sectional sectional study recruited adult inpatients who stayed for a period of 7 days or more. The Picker Patient Experience questionnaire (PPE-15) was used to gather information about the views of the patients about the care received at the center. RESULTS: Responses were available from 113 inpatients. Majority of the participants were males and were dependent on opioids. The experience was generally positive about being treated with respect and dignity and access to information. The participants were most satisfied with opportunity being given to discuss anxiety and fear about the condition or treatment (91.2% positive response) and least satisfied with differences in responses from doctors and nurses (43.4% positive response). Further attention seemed desired about communication with the staff and patients’ involvement in their own treatment-related decision-making. CONCLUSION: Efforts need to be made to involve patients in their own treatment-related decision-making and to improve communication with the treatment team. This might lead to better involvement in treatment process, which could enhance the treatment outcomes in this vulnerable population.