Development of three different decision support tools to support shared decision-making in vascular surgery

Background: Shared decision-making (SDM) is known to improve quality of care. Particularly in vascular surgery treatment options are often preference-sensitive. Unfortunately, vascular surgeons infrequently apply SDM. Decision support tools (DSTs) have been shown to be helpful in SDM. Objective: This article describes the development process of three different DSTs to help vascular surgeons and patients apply SDM. Patient involvement: Patients’ information needs were obtained via focus group meetings. Fifty-two patients and eighteen vascular surgeons not involved in the development process evaluated the comprehensibility and usability of the DST-prototypes. Methods: A multidisciplinary steering group commissioned the development of the three DSTs according to international standards. Results: Digital decision aids and paper-based consultation cards and decision cards were developed for patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid artery disease, intermittent claudication or varicose veins. Patients preferred the use of the decision aids followed by consultation cards, whereas vascular surgeons preferred to use decision cards followed by decision aids. Discussion: Decision aids, consultation cards and decision cards for four vascular diseases are now available to all vascular surgeons and patients in the Netherlands. The DSTs were well received by both surgeons and patients. English versions are also available.