Journal
PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING
Volume 85, Issue 3, Pages E291-E298Publisher
ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2011.05.014
Keywords
Experiential information; Patients' narratives; Decision-making; Screening decisions; Treatment decisions
Funding
- (UK) National Institute for Health Research Service Delivery and Organisation programme [08/1710/153]
- MRC [MC_U130059811] Funding Source: UKRI
- Chief Scientist Office [NMAHP1, HSRU2] Funding Source: researchfish
- Medical Research Council [O12345678, MC_U130059811] Funding Source: researchfish
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Objective: To investigate people's views of using 'general facts' and information about other people's 'personal experiences' for health-related decision-making. Methods: Sixty-two people, who between them had experience of five different focal health issues, participated in 12 focus groups and 9 interviews. Exploration of uses of the two types of information was supported by discussion of illustrative excerpts. Results: There was less discussion of 'general facts'; participants thought it obvious that good decisions required these. Participants reported having used 'personal experiences' information to: recognise decisions that needed consideration; identify options; appraise options and make selections (including by developing and reflecting on their reasoning about possible choices); and support coping strategies. Their inclination to use 'personal experiences' information was apparently moderated by assessments of personal relevance, the motives of information providers and the 'balance' of experiences presented. Conclusion: People can use 'personal experiences' information in various ways to support their decision-making, and exercise some discrimination as they do. Practice implications: 'Personal experiences' information may help people in a number of ways in relation to decision-making. However, 'personal experiences' information does not replace the need for 'general facts' and care should be taken when it is used in resources for patients. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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