Why shared decision-making matters and how to make it happen

Shared decision-making is something you do all the time. It’s the conversation you have with your spouse about what to make for dinner, the work meeting where you plan an upcoming project, the texts you send to your kids about which movie to see this weekend.

Yet, when it comes to healthcare choices, we often forget how vital shared decision-making is. Or maybe we’ve never fully experienced it.

Shared decision-making helps ensure your healthcare decisions align with your overall health and well-being goals. You don’t need special training to do it. You don’t need to know everything about your Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis diagnosis or medicines. All you need is a willingness to share your concerns with your doctor, listen as they share their expertise, and decide together.

In this article, we’ll cover shared decision-making—why it’s essential and how to make it happen, whether for yourself or for a child. We’ll also tell you how you can participate in a study researchers at Cincinnati Children’s are conducting to understand how adolescent patients and parents participate in decision-making.

What is shared decision-making? 

Traditionally, shared decision-making was not part of the doctor-patient relationship. Doctors typically decided what was best and expected patients to agree. However, over the past 20 years, the approach has become more patient-centered.

Think of shared decision-making as two experts working as a team. The doctor is the expert on the medical issues and available treatment options. You’re the expert on your values and preferences. These conversations work best when both sides are open and respectful. 

Why share decisions?

Research shows that when patients take part in shared decision-making, they: 

• Are more engaged and satisfied with their care.
• Believe they are receiving better quality care.
• Make decisions that match what matters most to them.
• Stick more closely to their treatment plan. 
• Trust their doctors more.

 When to use shared decision-making

Shared decision-making is usually appropriate when making any decision related to your Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis care. However, it is most important when the choices differ in ways that directly impact you or your child. A few examples include:

• Choosing between two medicines that offer the same benefits but different side effects.
• Deciding how to take your medicine (such as by mouth or through an IV).
•  Deciding between similar medicines that have different out-of-pocket costs.

Shared decision-making is less important (and sometimes not appropriate) when:

• One treatment is proven to work better than others.
• You need immediate care in a medical emergency.

When shared decision-making involves children and adolescents

If your child has Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, you know it’s important for them to participate in decisions about their care. But shared decision-making doesn’t happen automatically. It takes practice and patience.

Even young children can take part in decisions about their health and well-being. For example:

• Encourage them to pack their own (healthy) lunch.
• Give them the choice of taking medicine before or after dinner. 
• Help them think of questions to ask the doctor at their next appointment.

As your child gets older, you can encourage them to:

• Make their own doctor’s appointments.
• Think about their treatment and healthcare goals.
• Share their opinions with the doctor before you do.
• Talk to their teachers about what they need to manage their condition during school.

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation offers many helpful resources for families dealing with a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Also, check out Got Transition®, a national resource center that aims to help teens and young adults move from pediatric to adult care. 
 

Participate in research, earn $20 

Researchers at Cincinnati Children’s are interested in what parents and adolescents think about medical decision-making. They are doing a survey study of adolescents aged 12 to 17 (and their parents). You may be eligible to participate if you and your child talked about or made a treatment change (including starting, stopping, or changing a medication) during a recent appointment.

The online survey takes only 10 minutes. See if you qualify—and help improve care for families like yours. You’ll get a $20 gift card for taking part.

Sponsored by:

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center