Table 4 Comments from in-depth interviews with four patients concerning SDM

I think the questions are very good and handy. They are general questions, so applicable in different situations, as a reminder to ask more questions.

These questions are to accomplish better communication between doctor and patient, I think. So patients will get more information about the treatment options and so forth. I believe doctors should in any case give answers to these questions, but I understand that this is not always the case. Also you never know exactly what the patient wants to know, so these questions are very helpful for the patient to ask more specific questions.

I didn’t use the three questions literally in the consultation with the doctor. I used the three questions to form more specific questions, which were more applicable to my situation.

These three questions are not so much applicable while you’re admitted in the hospital and the whole plan is already known. While admitted the patient is usually waiting. There are very little changes [during the hospital stay]. Therefore you have few questions. If a new situation occurs, then I would definitely use the three questions to gain more information. I also think it is convenient that the patient has the questions in advance, so you can use them immediately, if necessary.