Supporting patients in shared decision making in clinical practice
Intended for healthcare professionals
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Supporting patients in shared decision making in clinical practice

Claire Madsen Consultant physiotherapist and deputy clinical director, Bristol Community Health, Bristol, England
Aileen Fraser Clinical director, Bristol Community Health, Bristol, England

This article defines shared decision making in patient care and describes the background to this philosophy. The shared decision making approach is part of a wider initiative to promote patient-centred care and increase patient involvement in clinical decisions. Shared decision making recognises patients’ rights to make decisions about their care and is used to assist them to make informed and individualised decisions about care and treatment. As well as reviewing the principles of shared decision making, the article offers practical guidance on how nurses can implement this initiative, including information on sharing expertise, agenda setting, assessing risks and benefits, setting goals, and support and follow up.

Nursing Standard. 29, 31, 50-57. doi: 10.7748/ns.29.31.50.e8570

Peer review

This article has been subject to double blind peer review

Received: 11 November 2014

Accepted: 16 January 2015

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