Exploring The Next Generation Healthcare Services On Patients' Preference

Evidence based patient choice seems based on a strong liberal individualist interpretation of patient autonomy; however, not all patients are in favor of such an interpretation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cross-cultural difference in the dental preferred and perceived roles between Taiwan and UK. A cross-sectional survey, using the Control Preferences Scale designed to elicit decision-making preferences (H. Chapple, 2003), a set of five decisional roles cards were shuffled at the outset and presented in a random order by face-to-face interview. Patients were asked to state a preference between the two cards, depending on which role they ideally would like to play. Once the role preference hierarchy had been obtained, the patients were asked to pick one card and give a rationale for their perceived role after the dentist treatment. In addition, Unfolding theory provided a means of analyzing the data so that the degree of control preferred by each patient could be established. A convenience sample of 80 patients recruited from the University Hospital of Chungshan and a general dental clinic in Taiwan. Our study suggested that a majority of Taiwanese patients have positive preference in treatment decision making if they are fully informed. Physicians will give greater patient satisfaction if they respond to the desire of patients for participation in decision making. In summary, culture is the interrelationship of values, beliefs, behaviors, and transmitted from generation to generation. Patient participation encompasses several aspects that are not necessarily alike among different countries.