Patient-Centred Communication in the Use of Antidepressants among People with Depression: A Scoping Review

• Main Authors: Zaini, Syahrir, Sulaiman, Ahmad Hatim, Huri, Hasniza Zaman, Koh, Ong Hui, Gill, Jesjeet Singh, Francis, Benedict, Tan, Chok How, Azhar, Fatin Liyana, Ong, Jen Yeung, Lim, Kuok Quan, Zulkifli, Nathratul Ayeshah, Nair, Navin, Ng, Chong Guan
• Format: Article
• Published: Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2021
• Subjects: R Medicine; RS Pharmacy and materia medica
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/25887/; https://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2021-5001-16

Antidepressants are the mainstay of depression treatment. However, little information is known about patient-centred communication related to the use of antidepressant among people with depression. This review aims to provide a comprehensive mapping of previously published studies on patient-centred communication in the use of antidepressants among patients with depression. A scoping review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane to answer the following questions: What is the nature of published scientific literature on this topic? and To what extent do the published articles address the six core components of patient-centred communication, which are: encouraging effective clinician-patient relationships, obtaining and providing information, responding to emotional states, handling uncertainty, achieving the best decision as well as advocating patient self-management? Out of 494 records identified, a total of 13 articles were included in the scoping review (2 randomised controlled trials, 1 observational cohort study, 5 cross-sectional studies, 4 qualitative studies, and 1 review article). All 6 core components of the patient-centred communication were discussed extensively in the literature except for 2 of them, which were handling uncertainty and patient self-management. Shared decision making (SDM) was found to be a critical feature in patient-centred communication. The six core components of patient-centred communication have been consistently recognized as vital for the process of achieving patient-centred care. SDM can be included as a tool to assist clinicians and patients in addressing effective clinician-patient relationships. © 2021 Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. All rights reserved.