The Operating Theatre Journal

The Centre for Perioperative Care a group made up of nine health partners including the Royal Colleges of Anaesthetists, GPs, Surgeons, Nurses and Physicians with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges have launched a Shared Decision Making (SDM) animation for patients. The animation uses an example of ‘Peter’ to illustrate what SDM is, how it should be carried out effectively, what patients should consider and the thread of patient choice that should run through any patients care.

Shared decision making is a process in which clinicians and patients work together to select tests, treatments, management or support packages, based on clinical evidence and the patient’s informed preferences.

Patients who are effectively involved in making decisions about their care have fewer regrets about treatment, better reported communication with their healthcare professionals, improved knowledge of their condition and treatment options, better adherence to the selected treatment and an overall better experience with improved satisfaction.

Dr Ramai Santhirapala, CPOC Shared Decision Making Workstream lead said:

“We are pleased to launch a joint venture between the Centre of Perioperative Care and Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. This animation promotes involving patients in healthcare choices through shared decision making. Whilst the context is perioperative care, the process and lessons are applicable to the wider healthcare remit. We hope you find it useful whether you are a patient or a healthcare professional.  Follow Peter on his journey to decide what’s best for him.”
 

Lawrence Mudford, Patient Representative for CPOC and cancer survivor:

“The relationship between healthcare team and patient is central to perioperative care. One brings the expertise and knowledge, based on data sets, research and training; the other is an expert of their own values, beliefs and expectations. Between them, goals, options and outcomes can be managed and explored. This is particularly important when weighing up the benefits of an operation or procedure and setting them against the known risks that will be present.

“Stories are powerful learning opportunities to reflect on outcomes of individual stages in a patient journey. But on their own, they are just ‘stories’. The insight comes from understanding the context, recognising the resulting lessons learnt, and then deciding how to embed these experiences to provide a better patient experience for all patients.”

Watch the video here: Peter’s journey: An Example of Shared Decision Making

Find out more on Shared Decision Making: https://www.cpoc.org.uk/shared-decision-making