Provider use of a participatory decision-making style with African American patients with glaucoma.

Objective: To examine whether non-adherent African American patients with glaucoma who received a question prompt list and video intervention were more likely to be given treatment options, have their input included into treatment regimens, and rate their providers as using more of a participatory decision-making style.

Methods: African American patients with glaucoma taking one or more glaucoma medications and reported being non-adherent were randomized to a pre-visit video and glaucoma question prompt list intervention or usual care.

Results: 189 African American patients with glaucoma participated. Providers gave patients treatment choices during 5.3% of visits and included patient input into treatment regimen decisions during 2.1% of visits. Male patients and patients with more years of education were significantly more likely to rate their providers as using more of a participatory decision-making style.

Conclusion: African American patients with glaucoma rated their providers high on using a participatory decision-making style. Yet, providers infrequently presented non-adherent patients with medication treatment options, and it was rare for providers to include patient input into treatment decisions.

Practice Implications: Providers should provide non-adherent patients with different glaucoma treatment options. Non-adherent African American patients with glaucoma should be encouraged to ask their providers for different medication treatment options.