Implementation of shared decision-making and patient-centered care in France: Towards a wider uptake in 2022
Résumé
We present the evolution of patient-centered care (PCC) and shared decision-making (SDM) in France
since 2017, highlighting advantages and drawbacks of their implementation at the macro level. We then
focus on several key policy and legislative milestones that are aimed to develop PCC and SDM. These
milestones underline the importance of patient movements to support and fund the development of research
and practice in the field. We shall conclude by presenting the growing research agenda and selected
key topics. These key topics notably include the increase in both patient and healthcare professional trainings
on PCC and SDM provided by healthcare users’ and patients’ representatives.
PCC and SDM continue to be central preoccupations at the macro level, supported by public health policies
and patients/healthcare users’ actions. This overview, however, suggests that although implementation
initiatives have increased since 2017, implementation remains scarce in routine clinical practice.
Funding, not only for research projects, but for the implementation of PCC and SDM in real-life settings
(e-decision aids, clinical guidelines integrating PCC/SDM, human resources dedicated to PCC/SDM, etc.)
are needed to promote sustained adoption. More systematic training for both healthcare professionals
and patients is also warranted for a true acculturation to occur.