Being actively involved in your healthcare and working in partnership with your healthcare team can help ensure that you get the care that is right for you.
What is shared decision making?
Shared decision making is when you discuss your health and treatment options with your healthcare team and decide on a treatment plan together. This process allows you to ask questions and weigh up your options so that you can make a decision you are happy with.
It involves talking with your healthcare team about your values, goals and preferences for your care. You and your healthcare team consider these alongside evidence about the benefits and risks of treatment.
When does shared decision making happen?
Shared decision making starts from the moment your healthcare team mentions you may need surgery.
Conversations about your treatment plan should happen each time you see your healthcare team, meaning across all stages of the surgical journey (before, day of and after surgery).
If you are worried about your treatment plan or feel it no longer meets your needs, discuss this with your healthcare team.
Who is a part of shared decision making?
You, your family, carer or support person and your healthcare team are all part of the shared decision-making process.
You can be involved in the process as much as you want, just let your support people and healthcare team understand your wishes.
Tools to help me with shared decision making
To help you be a part of the shared decision making process here are 5 questions you can ask your healthcare team when discussing your treatment plan.
Questions you might ask your healthcare team:
- Do I really need this test, treatment or procedure?
- What are the risks?
- Are there simpler, safer or alternative options?
- What happens if I don’t do anything?
- What are the costs?
To learn more, see Choosing Wisely Australia’s resource – 5 questions to ask your doctor or other healthcare provider before you get any test, treatment, or procedure.
Find out about the next stage of your surgical journey, see I’ve decided to have surgery.