Shared Decision-Making: A Cross-Sectional Study Assessing Patients Awareness and Preferences in Saudi Arabia

Background and Aim: Shared decision-making (SDM) has become broadly accepted during the consultation, especially when there are many options of treatment. This study aims to assess patients' levels of awareness and preferences of SDM in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study targeting patients in Saudi Arabia. Two validated questionnaires were used, the first validated questionnaire focuses on measuring knowledge, attitude and experiences of shared-decision making. The second questionnaire is the the Autonomy-Preference-Index focusing on patients' preferences for being involved in SDM. Relevant items to the study aim were chosen and translated into Arabic. Psychometric testing was conducted for Arabic and English versions and tested for content and face validity. The questionnaire administered online via social media channels, between February 2021 and May 2021. A total of 411 respondents completed the questionnaire. Results: The findings showed a positive association between awareness and preferences of SDM among patients in Saudi Arabia. In the awareness of the SDM domain, females reported higher scores than male participants (t = -4.504, P < 0.001). Saudis reported higher scores in their awareness of SDM than non-Saudis (t = 2.569, P = 0.011). Participants without health insurance reported higher scores in their awareness of SDM than those insured (t = -2.130, P = 0.034). Participants with degree have higher knowledge levels than participants with no degree (f = 10.034, P < 0.001). Females reported higher scores in their preferences of SDM than the male (t = -2.099, P = 0.036). Participants who visited private health-care settings in their last clinical encounter reported higher preferences of SDM than participants who received care in other settings (f = 2.653, P = 0.048). Conclusion: The study concludes that the more aware a patient is, the more likely they prefer SDM practice. This finding can support health-care policymakers in developing SDM policies that enhance patient-centered care.