A multicentre cluster-randomized controlled study to evaluate a train-the-trainer programme for implementing internal and external participation in medical rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the effect of the train-the-trainer programme 'Fit for Shared Decision-Making' on internal (team) and external (patient) participation in medical rehabilitation from a patient and staff perspective. DESIGN: A multicentre, cluster-randomized controlled study. SETTING: Eleven medical rehabilitation clinics, divided into intervention and control groups. SUBJECTS: A staff and a patient survey were conducted pre- and post-intervention, plus a further patient survey six months later. INTERVENTION: Train-the-trainer programme 'Fit for Shared Decision-Making' for interprofessional settings. MAIN MEASURES: Each survey measured internal participation with a self-compiled six-item scale (Internal Participation Scale, IPS), and external participation by means of a nine-item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9) for the patients and for healthcare professionals. RESULTS: Patient samples numbered 402 for the pre-, 463 for the post-intervention data collection period and 461 six months after the intervention. Patients' appraisal of external participation (Fperiod x group (2) = 0.256, p=0.774, η(2)=0.000) showed no change, whereas internal participation (Fperiod x group (2) = 3.785, p=0.023, η(2)=0.007) showed a significant increase. A total of 195 healthcare professionals participated in the pre- and 168 in the post-intervention staff survey. Here external participation was significantly enhanced in the intervention group (F(period x group) (1) = 4.893, p=0.028, η(2)=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The train-the-trainer approach can be recommended for implementing internal and external participation in interprofessional settings such as medical rehabilitation clinics. However, there is a need for more intensive staff training for internal participation and an additional intervention for patients to achieve success in all aspects.

Designing an interprofessional training program for shared decision making.

For implementation of patient-centered treatment in interprofessional health care units, such as rehabilitation teams, external participation (interaction between patient and health care professionals) and internal participation (communication, coordination and cooperation in the interprofessional team) need to be considered. The aim of this study is to identify the preferences of patients and health care professionals concerning internal and external participation in rehabilitation clinics, in order to develop an interprofessional shared decision-making (SDM) training program for health care professionals to enhance both types of participation. Therefore, a cross-sectional mixed-methods study was implemented in four rehabilitation clinics. The study consists of two parts: focus groups with patients and a survey of experts (senior health care professionals from medicine, psychotherapy, physical therapy and nursing). More time, more respect from the health care professionals and the desire for more participation in decision-making processes were mentioned most frequently by patients (n = 36) in the focus groups. The health care professionals (n = 32) saw most deficits in internal participation, e.g. management of feedback, talking with difficult team members and moderate conflict discussion. The results of both assessments have been used to develop an interprofessional SDM training program for implementing internal and external participation in interprofessional teams in medical rehabilitation.

Interprofessional SDM train-the-trainer program "Fit for SDM": provider satisfaction and impact on participation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the interprofessional SDM training program "Fit for SDM" in medical rehabilitation, which was implemented in two steps: (1) university staff trained providers in executive positions as trainers and (2) the providers trained their staff. METHODS: For the evaluation of the first step a questionnaire for shared decision-making (SDM) skills and satisfaction with the training was completed by the providers in executive positions. A staff survey was used in a cluster-randomized controlled study to determine the overall impact of the train-the-trainer program on internal and external participation in the team. RESULTS: The providers in the six clinics evaluated their SDM competences and satisfaction very positively after training (step 1). External participation was enhanced by application of the training content, with significant changes recorded for females and nurses in particular. However, it had no direct influence on internal participation. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first interprofessional SDM train-the-trainer program in Germany to bridge interprofessionalism (internal participation) and SDM (external participation); it was implemented successfully and evaluated positively. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Establishing interprofessional SDM training programs should be encouraged for all health care professionals. Implementation in the interprofessional setting should consider interprofessional team factors.