Shared decision-making in psychiatry: a study of patient attitudes

Objectives: Shared decision-making (SDM) is promoted as beneficial in mental healthcare, despite a dearth of supportive evidence. We aimed to obtain patients’ perspective on SDM in a ‘real world’ hospital sample. Methods: Structured validated questionnaires were used to examine SDM with regard to treatment choices, and whether SDM influences attitudes towards treatment. The Mini-Mental State Examination was used to assess decision-making capacity. Results: A total of 109 individuals participated, with 60% reporting experiencing SDM. SDM positively correlated with positive attitudes to medication. Those detained under the Mental Health Act had lower levels of SDM. Conclusions: SDM leads to more positive attitudes towards medication and may improve adherence with treatment. SDM may particularly benefit those subject to involuntary treatment and is not onerous to practice.