Shared decision making
Responding to individual patient preferences.
In the past, the patient played a passive role in decision making, with the healthcare professional, as knowledgeable expert, responsible for all decisions made. However, current practice and drive for person-centredness means that we are all tasked with providing care that is responsive to individual personal preferences and needs, with patient values informing clinical decisions.
Patients, clients and their families expect to be given information on their condition and treatment options with the practitioner and broader clinical team taking their individual preferences into account.
However, many patients and clients may wish to be actively involved in the decision making, making the decisions themselves. This concept of shared or negotiated decision-making, with the patient/client as an active partner, brings with it issues of informed consent and comprehensible risk communication. It is important to hear the patient and enable them to build knowledge to support their self-care and self-management strategies.