Shared decision-making when choosing the feeding method of patients with severe dementia: a systematic review

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate whether the use of a support tool for shared decision-making in the choice of feeding method for patients with severe dementia can benefit the patient/caregiver dyad, and to evaluate the quality of the decision-making process. Method: A search was performed in the Medline, LILACS, IBECS, SciELO, WHOLIS databases for randomized controlled trials, whether double-blind or otherwise, and quasi-experimental, cohort, case-control, or cross-sectional observational studies in Portuguese, Spanish, English and French. Results: Eight articles were found that showed that the use of a decision support tool, as an aid for the shared decision-making method, is beneficial as it reduces decisional conflict and increases the knowledge of caregivers about the subject. The quality of the decision-making process is unsatisfactory due to the low frequency of discussions between caregivers and the health team and the poor evaluation of caregivers about the participation of the team in the decision-making process. Conclusion: Decision support tools provide benefits for caregivers/patients undergoing the difficult task of deciding about feeding methods. Findings suggest that the current quality of decision-making is inadequate.