Shared decision making
When you have an appointment with a healthcare professional, you may need to make choices about your healthcare.
If there are different treatment options available to you, your healthcare professional will share their expert opinion on the best option.
What you choose to do should depend on what is important to you.
But you know your personal circumstances best, and so it's important for you to ask questions and share how the options will affect you.
This is known as shared decision making.
What to think about before your appointment
Before your appointment with a healthcare professional, consider:
- What matters to me?
- What is important to me?
- What am I worried or concerned about?
You might also want to consider whether it would be helpful to have someone attend the appointment with you.
Let the healthcare professional know about anything you are doing to manage your condition. Then, you and your healthcare professional can discuss your options and together you can find the right choice for you.
Four questions to ask during your appointment
During the appointment, consider asking four simple questions:
- What are the benefits?
- What are the risks?
- What are the alternatives?
- What if I do nothing?
Asking these questions helps you gather the information you need to make a decision that is right for you.
You will also be able to understand what options are available for you and what the benefits and risks of these options are.
How we support shared decision making
- Your care and support should take into account your needs and preference
- You have the right to be involved in discussions, and make decisions about your treatment and care, together with your health or care professional
- Patient decision aids support conversations and help you to make informed choices. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has developed several tools to support shared decision making for specific conditions.