Shared decision-making
What is shared decision-making
Shared decision-making is a process where a person and their healthcare professional make a health decision together. It involves a discussion about the benefits and risks of each treatment or care option and takes into consideration values, preferences, and circumstances.
Shared decision-making is particularly important when:
- there is uncertainty about which treatment option is best
- options have different benefits and risks
- the decision is likely to be heavily influenced by values and preferences.
Those diagnosed with serious or life-limiting health conditions often face many ‘preference sensitive’ decisions. For example, decisions about treatment that may prolong life, but reduce the quality of it, or have an impact on spending time at home.
Shared decision-making is especially important for those nearing the end of life. It can support them to make informed choices when it is unclear how long they will live.
Care Companion
The Care Companion can help patients make decisions with their healthcare team about serious health conditions.
Co-designed with Queensland healthcare professionals and consumers, the Care Companion was developed in response to calls from patients and carers wanting to be involved in decisions about their treatment and care.
More about decision-making
- Guidelines for assessing decision-making capacity
- Making decisions for others as a guardian or administrator
- My Care My Choices