Does shared decision making results in better health related outcomes for individuals with painful musculoskeletal disorders? A systematic review.

Background: Shared Decision-Making (SDM) is a dynamic process by which the health care professional and the patient influence each other in making health-related choices or decisions. SDM is strongly embedded in today's health care approaches, and is advocated as an ideal model since it renders individuals more control towards the health care they choose to receive, and has been shown to improve patient outcomes. Objectives: The goal of this systematic review was to investigate the added-value of SDM on clinical health-related outcomes in patients with a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Data sources: PubMed and CINAHL. Study selection: PRISMA guidelines were followed for this review. To be considered for review, the study had to meet all the following criteria: (1) prospective studies that involved treatment decision-making; (2) randomized controlled trial design; (3) involving patients faced with having to make a treatment decision; (4) comparing SDM with a control intervention and (5) including one or more of the following outcome measures: well-being, costs, health-related pain or disability measures, or quality of life. Study appraisal: A priori, we determined to perform methodological quality assessment using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized controlled trials. Results: We did not find a single study that looked at the true effect of SDM on patient reported outcomes in a population with musculoskeletal pain. Conclusion: For the management of painful musculoskeletal conditions, in the light of the current evidence (none), we estimate that it would be wise to explore the effectiveness of SDM before forcing its large-scale implementation in rehabilitation.