Shared Decision-Making and Its Correlation with Demographic Characteristics of Iranian Patients

Aims: To evaluate relationship between patient age, location and their preference toward partnership in clinical decision making
Place and Duration: A university-based clinic, Tabriz University of medical sciences, Tabriz, Iran from March to September
Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 200 patients were randomly selected for the study. Patients’ demographic indicators and attitude toward partnership with their doctor was assessed by the use of an author-developed questionnaire containing 12 questions. Validity of this questionnaire was previously confirmed. The data was finally collected and analyzed.
Results: Fifty three percent (53%) of patients were male and 47% was female. Mean age was 33.88 (SD=11.35). Of the 200 patients, 66% had tendency toward shared decision making (SDM). There was a positive correlation between higher level of education and SDM in Iranian patients.
Conclusion: We found a trend toward shared decision making among patients. We conclude that raising literacy could change the culture of patient-physician relationship within the country.