Shared Decision Making in Patients With Osteoarthritis of the Hip and Knee

We propose an RCT based on a non-randomized pilot study conducted at UCSF that included 115 patients who were referred for evaluation of hip and knee OA. The results of this pilot study suggested that DESI's were associated with greater patient knowledge, higher decision quality, higher patient and surgeon satisfaction, and no substantial impact on length of office visit or treatment decision. As in the pilot study, the RCT intervention will include a package of decision and communication aids shown in prior studies to increase patient knowledge, question-asking, and information recall. The intervention includes digital video discs and booklets produced by the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making and Health Dialog; a question-prompting phone call with a trained health coach; audio-recordings of the patient-surgeon consultation; and a copy of the surgeon's dictated note. The control arm will consist of usual care. Our primary outcome is the proportion of patients who arrive at an informed decision during the first visit. This outcome is of interest to patients, surgeons and healthcare purchasers, all of whom value efficiency and quality in delivery of care. Our hypothesis is that a higher proportion of patients in the intervention group will arrive at an informed decision during the first visit, as a result of being more knowledgeable and prepared for their visit, thus conserving resources while advancing quality. Secondary outcomes of interest will include treatment decision (e.g., surgical vs. non-surgical); patient and provider satisfaction; length of office visits; and adherence to treatment recommendations. We will assess whether patients are informed or not using a survey instrument testing 19 consensus "key facts" developed by FIMDM based on evidence and expert opinion. We will measure whether patients arrive at a decision using the Stage of Decision Making instrument. We will administer both instruments immediately after the patient's first consultation with their surgeon.