Shared Decision-Making
Evidence guides decisions. Values personalize them.
Shrink Definition
Shared decision-making is a collaborative process in which clinicians and patients work together to make healthcare decisions by integrating the best available scientific evidence with the patient's values, preferences, goals, and circumstances. Shared decision-making recognizes that many healthcare decisions involve more than one reasonable option. Rather than directing decisions unilaterally, clinicians help patients understand the benefits, risks, uncertainties, and alternatives so that informed decisions can be made together. The goal isn't simply patient satisfaction. The goal is informed, evidence-based, patient-centered care.
Plain language
Good healthcare decisions are made together.
Shrink Insight
The best medical decision for one person may not be the best decision for another with different goals or priorities.
Why it matters
Shared decision-making contributes to: • psychiatry • primary care • surgery • oncology • chronic disease management • preventive medicine • patient engagement Research has associated shared decision-making with improved patient understanding, greater engagement, and decisions that more closely reflect patient preferences.
Common misunderstanding
Shared decision-making doesn't mean every option is medically appropriate. Clinicians continue to provide professional recommendations while respecting patient autonomy.
Shrink Perspective
The clinician contributes expertise. The patient contributes lived experience, values, and goals. Both perspectives matter.
Shrink Reflection
Think about an important healthcare decision. Did you understand the available options? Did you feel comfortable asking questions?
Shrink Journal
Describe a time when collaboration improved an important decision. What made that conversation successful?
Shrink Step
When discussing an important decision, ask: "What are my options?" "What are the benefits and risks of each?" "How does each option fit my goals?"
Shrink Minute
Good decisions are informed together.
Shrink Takeaway
Collaboration improves care.
Medical boundary
This concept is educational and shouldn't be used to self-diagnose. It doesn't replace care from a licensed clinician. Symptoms, medication, and treatment decisions should be discussed with a qualified professional, and emergency symptoms require emergency care.
Evidence summary
Shared decision-making is recommended by numerous medical organizations and has become a central component of patient-centered care. Research supports its role in improving patient knowledge, engagement, and alignment between medical decisions and patient values. Medical Boundary Shared decision-making applies when multiple medically reasonable options exist. Emergency situations or impaired decision-making capacity may require different approaches.
Sources
American Psychological Association (APA); Peer-reviewed scientific literature
Reference status: authorities listed citation pending