Barriers and facilitators to implementing a shared decision-making tool for anticoagulant-related drug-drug interactions: a qualitative study across three academic medical centres in the USA.

OBJECTIVES

To identify barriers and facilitators to implementing an electronic shared decision-making tool for managing anticoagulant-related drug-drug interactions that affect bleeding risk in routine clinical care.

DESIGN

Preimplementation qualitative study using semistructured interviews.

SETTING

Three academic medical centres in the southeastern and western USA. Interviews were conducted between 27 March and 25 September 2024.

PARTICIPANTS

36 participants, including 19 clinicians involved in prescribing or managing anticoagulants and seventeen patients prescribed anticoagulants, were recruited using purposive and convenience sampling.

RESULTS

Participants identified multiple barriers and facilitators to tool implementation. Common barriers included limited visit time, challenges integrating the tool into existing workflows, role and scope-of-practice constraints, and variation in patient digital literacy. Facilitators included clear visualisation of bleeding risk, access to supporting evidence, familiar interface design and perceived potential to support patient engagement and shared decision-making. Several determinants functioned as both barriers and facilitators, depending on clinical context and user role.

CONCLUSIONS

This preimplementation qualitative study identified context-specific determinants that influence the adoption of an electronic shared decision-making tool for anticoagulant-related drug-drug interactions. Findings highlight the importance of early attention to workflow integration, role alignment and usability to support uptake in routine care. Addressing these factors during design and implementation may inform strategies to support adoption and future evaluation in real-world clinical settings.