SHARED DECISION MAKING

What is Shared Decision Making?

Shared Decision Making (SDM) is defined as: “An approach where clinicians and patients make decisions together using the best available evidence”. Patients are encouraged to think about the available screening, treatment, or management options and the likely benefits and harms of each so that they can communicate their preferences and help select the best course of action for them. SDM respects patient autonomy and promotes patient engagement. There are three factors that must be present for SDM to be considered part of mainstream clinical practice:

1. Easily accessible evidence-based information about treatment options.
2. Guidance on how to assess the benefits and disadvantages of different options available.
3. A culture at the clinic that is supportive of patient engagement.

Alberta Health Services Improving Health Outcomes Together (IHOT) team approached the BJH SCN and ABJHI to champion the implementation of Shared Decision Making in the long-running H&K OA Surgical Program.

The H&K OA Surgical Program has focused on raising physician and clinic staff’s awareness of the benefits of SDM and their deliberate use of language that supports SDM. The program has developed a toolkit for orthopedic surgeons and health care providers, which includes:

1. Paper Package:
   • 3-pager on SDM evidence and tips and tricks for employing SDM.
   • Posters to display in clinic exam rooms.
   • A patient fact sheet, that presents success rates of available OA treatment options.
2. Video:
   • A short video (linked below) narrated by the Medical Director of the Bone and Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network to inspire all Albertan arthroplasty surgeons to strengthen the use of SDM in their practice.
   • The video explains each component of the paper package and how to use it.