Newcastle Urology: changing attitudes with information for patients Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust

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The NHS has developed an information booklet and DVD to help patients with enlarged prostate understand their condition and the types of treatment available. These patient decision aids, derived from US tools, have been developed with UK clinicians and patients.

The Newcastle urology team identified the potential benefit of these tools and chose to implement them as part of MAGIC. They held initial team discussions to identify when best to offer the tools.

The patient pathway was amended for two sites to include a telephone follow-up appointment. Patients were given decision aid materials at a clinic consultation with a specialist nurse. They took these home where they could consider each treatment’s benefits and risks. A final supported decision was then made during a follow-up phone call. If the patient was undecided at this point, they were offered another face-to-face appointment.

Patient responses have been very positive and attitudes are changing in response to this supported shared decision making. They are asking more questions about their condition and the treatment options. North Tyneside patients have shown increased interaction with their consultation and more Freeman Hospital patients have been taking the lead in deciding their treatments.

Face-to-face appointments are in less demand thanks to the pathway changes. A follow-up appointment is now only needed when the patient is struggling to make a decision.

This positive impact has helped change clinicians’ attitudes to patient decision aids. Clinicians are proud of their overall success and are facilitating shared decision making in other urology clinics.