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. 2008 Sep;11(3):232-51.
doi: 10.1111/j.1369-7625.2008.00496.x.

A systematic review of decision support needs of parents making child health decisions

Cath Jackson  1 , Francine M Cheater, Innes Reid
Affiliations

A systematic review of decision support needs of parents making child health decisions

Cath Jackson et al. Health Expect. 2008 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: To identify the decision support needs of parents attempting to make an informed health decision on behalf of a child.

Context: The first step towards implementing patient decision support is to assess patients' information and decision-making needs.

Search strategy: A systematic search of key bibliographic databases for decision support studies was performed in 2005. Reference lists of relevant review articles and key authors were searched. Three relevant journals were hand searched.

Inclusion criteria: Non-intervention studies containing data on decision support needs of parents making child health decisions.

Data extraction and synthesis: Data were extracted on study characteristics, decision focus and decision support needs. Studies were quality assessed using a pre-defined set of criteria. Data synthesis used the UK Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating Centre approach.

Main results: One-hundred and forty nine studies were included across various child health decisions, settings and study designs. Thematic analysis of decision support needs indicated three key issues: (i) information (including suggestions about the content, delivery, source, timing); (ii) talking to others (including concerns about pressure from others); and (iii) feeling a sense of control over the process that could be influenced by emotionally charged decisions, the consultation process, and structural or service barriers. These were consistent across decision type, study design and whether or not the study focused on informed decision making.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Overview of the EPPI‐Centre approach 37 , 39 , 40 .
Figure 2
Figure 2
Search and retrieval process. *These numbers relate to a broad search strategy that we used to identify studies for this and a related review.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Emerging themes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Charles C, Gafni A, Whelan T. Shared decision‐making in the medical encounter: what does it mean? (or it takes at least two to tango) Social Science and Medicine, 1997; 44: 681–692. - PubMed
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    1. Council of Europe . The Development of Structures for Citizen and Patient Participation in the Decision‐Making Process Affecting Health Care. Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 2000.
    1. Abelson J, Forest PG. Towards More Meaningful, Informed and Effective Public Consultation. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Policy Research Networks, 2004.
    1. Department of Health . The NHS Plan. London: HMSO, 2000.

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