9.9.1 Informed Decision Making

Describes Strategies for Enabling the Patient to Make an Informed Decision

Informed decision-making is a process that enables patients to make choices about their healthcare that align with their values, preferences, and personal circumstances. It requires healthcare professionals to provide accurate and unbiased information, as well as support patients in weighing the risks and benefits of different treatment options. Here are some strategies for enabling patients to make informed decisions:

• Provide information: Healthcare professionals should provide patients with clear and accurate information about their condition, the available treatment options, and the potential risks and benefits of each option. This information should be presented in a way that is easily understandable and tailored to the patient’s needs and preferences.

• Encourage questions: Patients may have questions or concerns about their condition or treatment options, and healthcare professionals should encourage them to ask these questions. This can help patients to feel more informed and empowered to make decisions about their care.

• Use decision aids: Decision aids are tools that can help patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare. They can provide information about treatment options, as well as help patients to weigh the potential benefits and risks of each option. Decision aids can be provided in various formats, such as brochures, videos, or interactive websites.

• Discuss values and preferences: Patients’ values and preferences should be taken into account when making treatment decisions. Healthcare professionals should discuss these with patients and explore how they may influence their decision-making.

• Address emotional factors: Patients’ emotions may also play a role in their decision-making. Healthcare professionals should acknowledge and address these emotions, and provide support and guidance to help patients to make decisions that are right for them.

References:

1. Elwyn, G., Frosch, D. L., & Kobrin, S. (2018). Implementing shared decision-making: consider all the consequences. Implementation Science, 13(1), 114.
2. Stacey, D., Légaré, F., Col, N. F., Bennett, C. L., Barry, M. J., Eden, K. B., … & Wu, J. H. (2014). Decision aids for people facing health treatment or screening decisions. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1).
3. O’Connor, A. M., Bennett, C. L., Stacey, D., Barry, M. J., Col, N. F., Eden, K. B., … & Wu, J. H. (2009). Do patient decision aids meet effectiveness criteria of the international patient decision aid standards collaboration? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medical Decision Making, 29(4), 471-478.