Shared Decision Making

Deciding on treatment options should be a shared decision amongst the patient, caregiver(s) and the doctor. Shared decision making occurs when health professionals and patients work together. This puts patients in the driver’s seat with regard to decisions about their own treatment and care. In shared decision  making, care and treatment options are explored from every angle, including the discussion of risks versus benefits. 

How shared decision making works

  • The doctor

    expresses what they think is the best treatment option for the patient (medication and/or surgery).

  • The patient

    asks questions and does their own research to work with the doctor to come up with the most agreeable course of action for treatment.

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Written by Tina Aswani Omprakash. Medically reviewed and validated by Jordan Axelrad, MD, MPH. These webpages are funded by a grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.