Main Page

Observational Study

Study Title: Agenda-Setting Practices among Clinicians Who Care for Older Adults and Those with Serious Illnesses

Boyoung Ahn medical student at the Geisel School of Medicine

Background

This observational study aims to explore the prevalence and characteristics of agenda-setting among clinicians caring for older adults and those with serious illnesses. The study is led by Boyoung Ahn, a fourth-year medical student at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, with support from Dr. Catherine Saunders and Ella Harper-Schiehl. It has been awarded the Swigart Ethics Fellowship at Geisel.

Left to right: Boyoung Ahn, Ella Harper-Schiehl, Ailyn Sierpe, and Dr. Catherine H. Saunders at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Dartmouth Health Clinics

Boyoung Ahn attended clinic visits with an observation grid to assess clinicians’ agenda-setting with patients. She also conducted interviews with clinicians, patients, and care partners to understand their perspectives on agenda-setting. The results of this study echo those of prior studies, revealing that clinicians rarely engage in comprehensive agenda-setting. At the same time, this study also sheds light on the nuances and challenges inherent in agenda-setting, providing important context for its low prevalence. This study will contribute to broader efforts by the HEx Lab in implementing clinic visit agenda-setting tools.

Left to right: Boyoung Ahn and Dr. Catherine H. Saunders at
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Medical Student Grand Rounds

In April 2024, Ahn presented the results of this study at the Medical Student Grand Rounds. Currently, Ahn and her team are preparing a manuscript for publication.