Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40457384›Full record

ArticleBMC medical informatics and decision making2025

General practitioners' perceptions on decision aids in healthcare: a qualitative study in Portugal.

Mafalda Proença-Portugal, Bruno Heleno, Sónia Dias, Ana Gama, Sofia Baptista

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical informatics and decision making, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Mafalda Proença-PortugalNOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal. mafaldapportugal@gmail.com.ORCID 0000-0002-5213-1104
Bruno HelenoCHRC, LA-REAL, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-3943-1858
Sónia DiasNOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), LA-REAL, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0001-5085-0685
Ana GamaNOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), LA-REAL, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0001-6958-6159
Sofia BaptistaDepartment of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-2604-9369

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDecision aids (DA) are evidence-based tools that support health-related decisions. Despite their recognised value, the use of DAs in primary care remains modest. In Portugal, clinical guidelines focus on clinical decision-making with minimal patient engagement. Adapting international DAs to the Portuguese context could be an efficient way to support the transition to shared decision-making. Understanding general practitioners' (GPs) awareness and perceptions of DAs is essential before evaluating their willingness to adopt these tools for specific clinical problems.

aimTo explore Portuguese GPs' perceptions of DAs and their implementation in primary care.

methodQualitative study with GPs and GP trainees in Portugal. Seven online focus groups were conducted with 33 GPs and GP trainees selected through purposive sampling. Data were analysed using deductive content analysis.

resultsMost participants initially confused DAs with clinical decision support tools; only one recognised them as aids for shared decision-making. After clarification, GPs expressed favourable attitudes and believed that patients were willing to use DAs. Key barriers to adoption included limited funding, time constraints, and the lack of Portuguese translations. Facilitators involved system integration and localisation. Priority topics centred on prevention (screening, statin use, vaccines, contraception, lifestyle changes) and specific medications (antibiotics, hormone replacement, psychotropics).

conclusionAlthough unfamiliar to most participants, integrating DAs in primary care was well received, and these tools may provide added value in improving the quality of health decisions. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelClinical Decision-MakingDecision Support TechniquesGeneral PractitionersAdultFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleMiddle AgedPortugalPrimary Health CareQualitative ResearchDecision aidsFocus groupsPrimary healthcareQualitative studyShared decision-making

Identifiers

PMID40457384
PMCPMC12131423

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.