Fifteen-minute consultation: Empowering children, young people and families through shared decision-making: a practical guide

Abstract

Shared decision-making (SDM) is a collaborative approach to healthcare decision-making that involves patients and healthcare professionals working together to make decisions that are informed by the best available medical evidence, as well as the patient's values, preferences and goals. The importance of SDM and the intricate interplay among parents, children and young people (CYP), and healthcare professionals are increasingly acknowledged as the crucial aspects of delivering high-quality paediatric care. While there is a substantial evidence base for SDM improving knowledge and reducing decisional conflict, the evidence for long-term measures such as improved health outcomes is limited and mainly inconclusive. To support healthcare teams in implementing SDM, the authors offer a practical guide to enhance decision-making processes and empower CYP and their families.

Keywords: Adolescent Health; Neonatology; Nephrology; Paediatrics; Respiratory Medicine.

Figure 1. An SDM pathway for all scenarios (produced by the Ready Steady Go (RSG)-TIER Collaborative). SDM, shared decision-making.

Figure 2. Ask 3 Questions—a question prompt list to encourage patients to participate in shared decision-making.

Figure 3. An example of SDM with CYP and families across a healthcare team—dialysis choices (produced by the Ready Steady Go (RSG)-TIER Collaborative (kidney)). CYP, children and young people; SDM, shared decision-making.

Figure 4. SDM Q9 + 1, a tool to measure patient satisfaction and engagement with shared decisionmaking. (Produced by The Ready Steady Go-TIER Collaborative)