Improving Therapists’ Confidence in Applying the Principles of Shared Decision-making to Discharge Planning

Introduction: Shared decision-making (SDM) is a collaborative process between providers and patients to make informed care decisions. This observational cohort study aimed to: (1) examine therapists’ perceptions and use of SDM principles in discharge planning (DCP); and (2) evaluate the impact of a quality improvement (QI) initiative on therapists’ confidence in applying SDM to DCP. Review of Literature: Patient involvement in SDM is linked to better outcomes. While DCP is integral to acute care therapy, patient values are often underrepresented. Incorporating SDM in hospital DCP has been associated with improved results. Subjects: Seventeen therapists (14 physical, 3 occupational) participated. Methods: The QI initiative included an educational workshop, mentorship, and an SDM tool. Pre- and post-QI surveys assessed beliefs, confidence, and utilization. Results: At baseline, 85% strongly believed SDM should be part of DCP, but reported using it in only 54.8% of visits. Post-QI, utilization increased to 83.6%. Confidence improved from moderate (59.53/100) to high (86.67/100). Discussion and Conclusion: The QI initiative improved therapists’ knowledge, beliefs, confidence, and application of SDM in DCP. Limitations include small sample size and lack of control group.