Physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals have specific knowledge that they use to treat patients. However, patients may feel excluded when their treatment depends solely on the ideas and opinions of their healthcare provider (Légaré et al., 2018). One of the core principles of modern medicine is patient-centered care, where patient concerns and opinions are acknowledged by healthcare professionals. However, for a patient to participate and provide a point of view, they have to know what is happening to them and how it can be treated. The concept of informed decision-making addresses this issue – it implies that the patient is given all the necessary information to actively participate in the healing process (Lewis & Pignone, 2009). Informed decision-making affects every action that a healthcare organization and its employees perform because it makes the patient one of the integral participants.
Informed decision-making involves education and communication between the healthcare provider and the patient. For example, if a person requires treatment that may put them at risk of severe complications, the healthcare professional should inform the patient about risks, benefits, and alternatives. It is vital to note that all information given to the patient should be supported by the latest research, professional expertise, and guidelines for best practice (Légaré et al., 2018). Then, based on this knowledge, the patient can make an informed decision about their treatment – the patient’s consent to certain procedures is considered crucial and non-negotiable (Légaré et al., 2018). If the patient chooses a specific treatment or refuses care altogether, these decisions must be respected.
In this way, patients gain more control over their health. At the same time, they take some responsibility for complex decisions and treatments, acknowledging that they agree with them and understand the consequences. Légaré et al. (2018) describe this concept as shared decision-making because it establishes a collaborative approach between the patient and provider. By exchanging knowledge and opinions, patients and healthcare professionals share the responsibility for the treatment.
The existence and necessity of informed decision-making have benefits and drawbacks for a healthcare organization. On the one hand, professionals increase patients’ autonomy and share responsibility with patients by educating them. Moreover, patients become more aware of their health and diagnosis, which may positively impact health literacy and patients’ overall well-being. Légaré et al. (2018) find that the mental health of patients who are invited to participate in informed decision-making improves.
On the other hand, the requirement to teach patients and inform them places additional pressure on healthcare workers. Nurses and physicians must take more time educating patients and answering patients, which reduces the possible number of patients who receive care (Légaré et al., 2018). To overcome this issue, providers must find efficient ways of including patients in the conversation (Lewis & Pignone, 2009). Lewis and Pignone (2009) introduce the idea of decision aids – specific tools that educate patients on potential issues and treatments. Using decision aids may help patients learn in their own time while preparing them without the provider’s intervention.
Overall, informed decision-making is an integral approach to healthcare, as it gives more authority to the patient. As a recipient of health care, it is important for the patient to participate in the decision-making process. The idea of educating patients on health issues and potential risks increases the patient’s responsibility. It also improves the patient-provider relationship and health literacy. However, informed decision-making should be implemented without sacrificing the quality of healthcare and professionals’ ability to care for many patients. Thus, such tools as decision aids may be implemented to support patients’ autonomy and reduce providers’ workload.
References
Légaré, F., Adekpedjou, R., Stacey, D., Turcotte, S., Kryworuchko, J., Graham, I. D., Lyddiatt, A., Politi, M., Thomson, R., Elwyn, G., & Donner‐Banzhoff, N. (2018). Interventions for increasing the use of shared decision making by healthcare professionals. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (7), 1-380. Web.
Lewis, C. L., & Pignone, M. P. (2009). Promoting informed decision-making in a primary care practice by implementing decision aids. North Carolina Medical Journal, 70(2), 136-139.