What is shared decision-making?
Shared decision-making is a two-way conversation between patients and health and social care professionals. It is a process not a ‘one-off’ event. It involves exploring choices, comparing the options, and deciding together on a course of action
The goal is to reach a decision informed by the best available evidence and aligned with what matters most to the patient.
Why reflect on shared decision-making?
Shared decision-making is not a new concept. It is something you ‘sign up to’ as a registered health and social care professional. It is a key part of good clinical practice and outlined in clinical guidance by the General Medical Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). However, not everyone can access ‘refresher’ training about the key steps involved.
Because decision support is embedded into everyday practice it can be easy to assume that it is happening. Taking time to reflect can help you and your team to think about how shared decision-making ‘happens’ in your care pathway to identify examples of best practice as well as potential improvements.
Shared decision-making animation and reflection guide
This short 4-minute animation introduces the three key steps of shared decision-making and is designed as a ‘refresher’ for health professionals.
After watching the animation, use the reflection guide to consider how shared decision-making happens in your own practice, either individually or as part of a team discussion.
The guide supports reflection across the three key stages:
- Conversations about choices
- Comparing options
- Deciding together
Shared Decision-Making Toolkit for Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
This toolkit provides recommendations and resources to support cardiology teams to strengthen shared decision-making across the elective PCI pathway. It is designed for cardiology teams managing patients who present with exertional angina with suspected or diagnosed obstructive coronary disease. Please email shared-decision-making@open.ac.uk for queries about the toolkit resources.
- Patient decision aids (Free registration to access a digital and easy-read versions)
- Case Study-Implementing Easy Read Patient Decision Aid
- Top Tips for Implementing Patient Decision Aids
- Patient Information along the Elective PCI Care Pathway
- Patient Information Quality Checklist (word doc)
- Shared Decision-Making Dialogue Prompts
- Service Evaluation Template (word doc)
- Involving Patients in Service Design
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