Implementing Shared Decision-Making
The Foundation is committed to ensuring that patients have the resources and support they need to make a truly informed medical decision.
Shared decision-making is an opportunity for patients and providers to engage in open communication, which allows patients to choose care options that are based on the best available evidence and optimally suit their needs and preferences. Patient decision aids are often used during the process of shared decision-making to help patients clarify their preferences and values about treatment.
Research to Study the Integration of Shared Decision-Making
Researchers currently are studying how to best integrate decision aids
into clinical practice. Demonstrations sites, or clinical care units at which
staff and patients test decision aids, are essential for understanding how
to most effectively implement the process of shared decision-making.
Testing of decision aids under controlled laboratory conditions can
supply some important data about their use. However, only testing at
health care clinics and hospitals can provide practical information on how
to best support shared decision-making in real-world settings.
Demonstrating Implementation
The Foundation supports research projects on shared decision-making
at both primary care and specialty demonstration sites across the United
States. Demonstration sites are vitally important for learning how to
overcome the barriers to successful implementation of shared decisionmaking
in real-life clinical settings. Health care providers and administrators
are using a variety of solutions to overcome these obstacles and
support their patients in making truly informed medical decisions.