Social Dimensions of Health Institute, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
Patient Educ Couns. 2011 Dec;85(3):e291-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2011.05.014. Epub 2011 Jun 8.
To investigate people's views of using 'general facts' and information about other people's 'personal experiences' for health-related decision-making.
Sixty-two people, who between them had experience of five different focal health issues, participated in 12 focus groups and 9 interviews. Exploration of uses of the two types of information was supported by discussion of illustrative excerpts.
There was less discussion of 'general facts'; participants thought it obvious that good decisions required these. Participants reported having used 'personal experiences' information to: recognise decisions that needed consideration; identify options; appraise options and make selections (including by developing and reflecting on their reasoning about possible choices); and support coping strategies. Their inclination to use 'personal experiences' information was apparently moderated by assessments of personal relevance, the motives of information providers and the 'balance' of experiences presented.
People can use 'personal experiences' information in various ways to support their decision-making, and exercise some discrimination as they do.
'Personal experiences' information may help people in a number of ways in relation to decision-making. However, 'personal experiences' information does not replace the need for 'general facts' and care should be taken when it is used in resources for patients.
调查人们对使用“一般事实”和他人“个人经验”信息进行健康相关决策的看法。
62 名参与者分别具有 5 种不同焦点健康问题的经验，他们参加了 12 个焦点小组和 9 次访谈。通过讨论说明性摘录来支持对这两种类型信息的使用的探讨。
对“一般事实”的讨论较少；参与者认为，好的决策需要这些。参与者报告说，他们使用了“个人经验”信息来：识别需要考虑的决策；确定选项；评估选项并做出选择（包括通过对可能选择的理由进行发展和反思）；并支持应对策略。他们使用“个人经验”信息的倾向显然受到个人相关性评估、信息提供者的动机以及呈现的经验“平衡”的调节。
人们可以以各种方式使用“个人经验”信息来支持他们的决策，并在这样做时进行一些甄别。
“个人经验”信息可能会以多种方式帮助人们进行决策。但是，“个人经验”信息并不能替代“一般事实”的需求，在为患者制作资源时应谨慎使用。
