1. Using family-centered communication to optimize patient-provider-companion encounters about changing to biosimilars: A randomized controlled trial.
- Author
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Gasteiger, Chiara, Perera, Anna, Yielder, Rachael, Scholz, Urte, Dalbeth, Nicola, and Petrie, Keith J.
- Subjects
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RANDOMIZED controlled trials , *PATIENT-family relations , *RISK perception , *BIOSIMILARS , *PATIENTS' attitudes , *BODY language , *PATIENT-centered medical homes - Abstract
Objective: To explore whether family-centered communication impacts decisions and optimizes patient-companion-provider consultations.Methods: A parallel, two-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted with 108 participants acting as patients with inflammatory arthritis or companions. Pairs attended a mock consultation where a physician explained the change from a bio-originator to a biosimilar using family-centered or patient-only communication. Participants reported their willingness to transition, risk perceptions, understanding and social support, and completed various scales including the Patient Perception Scale. Interviews helped understand perceptions towards the consultation.Results: Family-centered communication did not impact willingness to change or cognitive risk perceptions compared to patient-only communication. However, it improved emotional risk perceptions (p = 0.047, Cohen's d=.55) and satisfaction with communication (p = 0.015, Cohen's d=.71). Feeling the explanation was reassuring was associated with less worry (p = 0.004). Receiving emotional support (p = 0.014) and companions asking fewer questions (p = 0.046) were associated with higher recall. The intervention improved companion involvement (p < 0.001, Cohen's d= 1.23) and support (p = 0.002, Cohen's d=.86). Interviews showed that encouraging questions, inclusive body language, and acknowledging companions facilitated involvement.Conclusion: Family-centered communication augments patient-companion-provider encounters but does not influence willingness to change treatment.Practice Implications: Practitioners can use family-centered communication when discussing biosimilars but should provide reassurance, encourage emotional support, and summarize key points to improve understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2023
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