Observing Patient Involvement in Decision Making (OPTION)

The Observing Patient Involvement in Decision Making (OPTION) scale is a trusted tool for checking how well clinicians share choices with patients. This observer measure looks at twelve specific behaviours during a consult. It tracks if the provider clearly explains problems and outlines possible treatments. Each item is scored on a zero to four scale based on the level of effort shown. A zero means the action was missing, while a four shows a high standard. The total score highlights the level of shared decision making and covers steps like checking if a patient understands the risks. Researchers use this instrument to study communication in primary care and specialist settings. It works best with audio or video recordings of the visit so observers can catch every detail. This feedback helps train doctors to be better at including patients in their own care plans.