12 Shared Decision-Making
Optimal shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers requires that we move beyond merely treatment choices (Tonelli et al., 2019). Shared decision-making requires:
- Collaboration in all aspects of clinical care, with practitioners needing to fully engage with the patient’s experience of illness and participation in treatment and care;
- Ongoing partnership between clinicians and patients, which requires time but results in enhanced care;
- Acknowledgement and understanding that the patient is the expert in their own lived experiences (for e.g., their determinants of health, attitudes and beliefs) – these are often omitted from clinical decisions.
“The key element [of person-centered care] is that people who use health services are seen and treated as equal partners in their care; they are included in the decisions being made about them to ensure the best outcomes…Healthcare providers need to work “WITH” their patients and families, rather than just doing “TO” or “FOR” them…see their patients as a part of the process to determine what treatment and care is best for them. Healthcare providers need to listen to their patients and come up with a treatment plan together, rather than just telling them what to do. Patients need to feel comfortable to ask questions about their care, and not be rushed. Healthcare providers need to set the stage for this to happen. There needs to be trust from both sides and learning without judgement.”
Susanna McLeod, Patient Engagement Consultant, Shared Health Manitoba
