Shared Decision-Making

#Combine clinical evidence with what matters to the person

NICE describes shared decision making as a collaborative process in which a person and their healthcare professional reach a decision about care together. Its public explanation connects evidence with individual preferences, beliefs and values. Oxford University Hospitals describes selecting tests, treatments or support based on evidence and informed preferences.

The clinician contributes knowledge about the options and the person's health; the person explains priorities, concerns and how much involvement they want. A shared discussion is not a promise that every desired option is appropriate or available. Mynd provides general education, not a decision-making or care service.

Evidence: NICE NG197: shared decision making / NICE: about shared decision making / Oxford University Hospitals: shared decision making

#Prepare for a discussion that is understandable

NICE recommends preparation around what matters, hoped-for outcomes and questions. During discussion it recommends manageable information, checks of understanding and support from family, friends or advocates when the person wants them involved. It describes quality-assured, relevant decision aids as one part of the process, not its replacement.

Bring questions about choices, benefits, harms and uncertainty. Ask for unclear terms or numbers to be explained, and say if you need information in another format. Ask about communication support rather than assuming a particular service is available. Supporters should help express the person's wishes rather than take over the choice.

Evidence: NICE NG197: shared decision making / Oxford University Hospitals: shared decision making

#Agree the next step and recognise the limits of this guidance

NICE recommends a clear summary of the decision, next steps, timescales and review, with a contact for later questions. Its guideline does not cover unexpected emergencies requiring immediate life-saving care or situations where an adult lacks capacity at the time the decision must be made. Those situations need other clinical and legal processes.

Ask what has been agreed and when it can be discussed again. Reconsidering a decision should happen with the responsible team, not by independently changing medicine or delaying urgent care after reading this page. Local consent rules and available support vary; a UK guideline is not a universal legal entitlement.

Evidence: NICE NG197: shared decision making / Oxford University Hospitals: shared decision making

Source note

The sections above were checked against the linked sources. No clinical review has been performed. This is general research education, not a clinical guideline.