[Shared decision-making using outcome information: qualitative research among patients].

Background: In the period 2019-2022, eight mental health care organizations have been working on the development and implementation of shared decision-making (SDM) using routine outcome monitoring (ROM) as a source of information.

Aim: To obtain insight in needs and experiences of patients among SDM using ROM, and to investigate which implementation approach this requires.

Method: Explorative, qualitative research consisting of semi-structured interviews and focusgroups with patients (n = 101) treated by mental health care organizations across the Netherlands.

Results: Patients reported SDM as important. Generic aspects (listening, trust, complete information and equal input) and customization (connecting to the need for help, and for every decision meta-communication about the roles of patients, relatives and clinicians and the way of giving information) were equally important. Patients valued ROM as source of information during SDM, providing that questionnaires are not too long, are related to the problems and results are discussed.

Conclusion: SDM using ROM is as yet not widely implemented in mental health care. This requires continuous stimulation and evaluation. Implementation requires (re)training clinicians and supporting patients by relatives, peer experts and psycho-education. Patients appreciate ROM as an aid in SDM; access to their own ROM is helpful here.