How to choose wisely for the patients to accept transurethral surgery or not in the urological patients is very important issue nowadays. The treatment for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) includes non-surgical and surgical methods. This study was to explore the possibility of shared decision-making (SDM) tools to be helpful and educational for the patients who encountered the decision for surgery for their urologic problems.

This was a prospective study. Development of SDM tools was based on both physician and patients on decision-making choices, symptoms scores, supportive laboratory options, questionnaires from evidence-based medicine, integrated treatment options from documented clinical practice guidelines and treatment preferences of medical staff of the hospital. Then SDM was applied to the clinical patients. Feedback scoring was presented by percentage. The study protocol was approved by the Institute Research Board(IRB) of the hospital.

Ten patients who had been treated for BPH and ten medical staff to give feedback for developing the SDM tools. In 2022, for patients with BPH but facing difficulties or doubts about the surgical or non-surgical treatment options, were applied the SDM as a decision-making aid. Ten patients were enrolled. The positive feedback and approval of the ten patients visited was more than 87% in several aspects: to clarify a decision must be made; to make a ready decision; advantages and disadvantages of choices; engagement of discussion; questions well answered by the doctors; and to express the patients most concerned. In February 2023, this program had won the best innovation award in the contest of National Health Quality Award 2022 held by the Joint Commission of Taiwan.

In the present study, BPH is a common urological problem among men; however, making a treatment decision whether surgery or not from the patient could be very difficult. SDM could help and educate the patients choose wisely and accountably. SDM is also helpful for both physicians and patients.