Shared Decision Making (Centre for Perioperative Care, 18 October 2021)

Summary

Shared decision making (SDM) is when patients and clinicians work together to make evidence-based decisions based on patient values and preferences. This may be to select a test or intervention, such as going ahead with surgery. SDM ensures individuals are supported to make decisions which are right for them. The Centre for Perioperative Care has a number of resources on their website on shared decision making.

Content

Patients who are effectively involved in making decisions about their care have fewer regrets about treatment, better reported communication with their healthcare professionals, improved knowledge of their condition and treatment options, better adherence to the selected treatment and an overall better experience with improved satisfaction. 

Shared decision making is appropriate for decisions in both primary (GP) and secondary care (hospital) settings some examples include whether to:

• undergo a screening or diagnostic test
• undergo a medical or surgical procedure
• participate in a self-management education programme or psychological intervention
• attempt a lifestyle change.

Shared decision making explicitly acknowledges the fact that there is usually more than one way to treat a problem, including ‘no treatment’ and patients may require support to weigh up the benefits and harms of the options in order to determine the best choice for them.

Article from the Centre for Perioperative care explains how SDM works with models, examples and evidence for its effectiveness. It includes an animation, 'Peter's Journey: An example of shared decision making'.

Shared Decision Making for clinicians