Introduction Patient decision aids (PtDAs) are evidence-based tools designed to support patients in making informed choices about their healthcare and to complement patient-physician interactions. However, there is a gap between intention and behavior among physicians when it comes to sustained use of PtDAs, and studies have yet to report on sustainable adoption of PtDAs.

In a Danish oncology department, we have observed successfull integration of an in-consult PtDA, as physicians and nurses were reluctant to discontinue its use as prompted due to testing of a digital PtDA. The aim of this study was therefore to qualitatively investigate their perceptions and motivations for sustained use.

Methods In spring 2023, two focus group interviews were conducted with physicians and nurses, respectively, working together in pairs during the consultation. Data were analysed using content analysis and extraction of themes related to the informants’ experiences.

Results Physicians (n=7) and nurses (n=4) participated. The preliminary analyses showed that physicians and nurses experienced the importance of PtDAs differently, and within each group they gave different weightings to what they considered most important. Physicians found it easier to focus on the patient’s treatment goal rather than the their own goal when using PtDAs, while nurses experienced improved patient engagement and improved quality of consultations. Discussing life expectancy as part of the PtDA was an important topic in both groups.

Discussion The results are discussed in relation to the physicians’ and nurses’ perspectives on the use of in-consult PtDAs and how this may pave the way for overcoming barriers and promoting consistent adoption of PtDAs in clinical practice.

Conclusion The study provides us with unique data to understand what motivates clinicians to use in-consult PtDAs in practice and to potentially generate knowledge about an effective implementation strategy for PtDAs.