A scoping review of decision regret in non-communicable diseases: The emerging roles of patient-clinician communication, psychological aspects, and medical outcomes

Objective: To map the existing literature on decision regret among patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and develop an integrated framework to understand its impact on patient outcomes and healthcare processes.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases was conducted until January 2024 using the "Population, Concept, Context" framework. The review identified and analyzed 28 studies published between 2005 and 2023 in North America and Europe.

Results: Decision regret primarily arises from mismatches between expected and actual treatment outcomes and is strongly influenced by patient-clinician communication quality. The need for improved informed consent processes and enhanced communication strategies to mitigate regret emerged as prevalent themes. A hypothetical theoretical path was developed to define the relationship between patient expectations, medical outcomes, and emotional responses.

Conclusion: Enhanced communication and personalized treatment plans are crucial for addressing the multifaceted nature of regret in healthcare. Improved patient-clinician communication and informed consent processes can significantly reduce decision regret.

Practice implications: Healthcare providers should focus on effective communication and education to personalize care strategies and align treatment decisions with patient expectations. This could ultimately reduce decision regret and improve patient outcomes.