Decision Needs and Preferred Strategies for Shared Decision-Making in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Perspectives of Canadian Urban Indigenous Women.

objectiveDecision-making for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is complex, with multiple beneficial medication options available, but with the potential for treatment-related adverse effects and significant economic considerations. Indigenous patients make treatment decisions informed by an interplay of clinical, family, and societal factors. Shared decision-making may represent an approach to support treatment decisions in a culturally congruent manner. Our objective was to identify aspects of arthritis care that Indigenous participants found relevant for shared decision-making and to explore preferences for shared decision-making strategies.

methodsA purposive sampling from rheumatology clinics that provide services to Indigenous patients in a Canadian urban center was used to recruit participants for interviews. Seven participants were recruited to reach content saturation. Interview content was coded by 2 individuals, including an Indigenous patient with RA, and the data were analyzed via thematic analysis.

resultsParticipants were all women ages 37-61 years living with RA. Participants supported the idea that shared decision-making would be beneficial, primarily to support decisions around treatment plans and medication changes. Shared decision-making approaches would need to reflect Indigenous-specific content areas, such as benefits and risks of therapy informed by data from Indigenous patient populations and inclusion of traditional modes of healing. All participants were interested in having a decision coach and preferred that decision aids be in both paper and electronic formats for accessibility.

conclusionThis study advances knowledge in the priority areas and specific content needed in the shared decision-making process and the preferences of shared decision-making strategies relevant and appropriate for urban Indigenous women living with RA in Canada.