Shared clinical decision making

ABSTRACT

@#Most patients want to play an active role in their own health care. There is now a movement from medical paternalism to patient-centered care in the consultation process that is based on the therapeutic alliance and negotiation between the doctor and patient, aptly named “shared decision-making” (SDM). It is a process where doctors work together with patients, including their families and caregivers, to select tests, treatments, management, or support packages, based on clinical evidence and personal informed preferences, health beliefs, and values. Successful implementation of SDM is associated with improved quality of consultations, favorable patient-reported health outcomes, and increased patient and doctor satisfaction. Patients are empowered to make proactive health decisions resulting in decreased anxiety, faster recovery, increased treatment compliance, and reduced unnecessary health care expenditure. There are multiple existing models in facilitating SDM. Two simple and easyto-follow models are the “three-talk model” and “S.H.A.R.E. approach.” The three-talk model endorsed by the NICE divides the SDM consultation into three steps, namely team talk (explaining the need to consider treatment options as a team), option talk (describing the alternatives in more detail, and making use of patient decision aids [PDA] whenever appropriate), and decision talk (helping patients explore and form their personal preferences). On the other hand, the S.H.A.R.E. approach promoted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is a five-step SDM consultation process that includes exploring and comparing the benefits, harms, and risks of each treatment option through meaningful dialogue about what matters most to patients.