Shared decision-making

Shared decision-making ensures that individuals are supported to make decisions that are right for them. It is a collaborative process through which a clinician supports a patient to reach a decision about their treatment.

The conversation brings together:

  • the clinician’s expertise, such as treatment options, evidence, risks and benefits
  • what the patient knows best: their preferences, personal circumstances, goals, values and beliefs.

Shared decision making is a key component of universal personalised care.

A summary guide has been developed for people and organisations leading local implementation of shared decision-making.

If you have questions about shared decision making, please email england.shareddecisionmaking@nhs.net