About Shared Decision Making

Shared decision making is the collaboration between patients and caregivers to come to an agreement about a healthcare decision. It is especially useful when there is no clear "best" treatment option.

The caregiver offers the patient information that will help him or her:

• Understand the likely outcomes of various options
• Think about what is personally important about the risks and benefits of each option
• Participate in decisions about medical care

The Center for Shared Decision Making at DHMC is the first patient-focused facility of its kind in the United States.

For more information

Our Decision Aid Library includes a video about shared decision making, Getting The Healthcare That’s Right For You. The video provides an introduction to evidence-based medicine and shared decision making.