Reviews in Clinical Gerontology

Table of Contents - May 2012 - Volume 22, Issue 02  

Clinical geriatrics

Engaging older people in decisions about their healthcare: the case for shared decision making

Joanne Lallya1 c1 and Ellen Tulloa2

a1 Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Hospitals Trust

a2 Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, UK

Summary

Shared decision making in clinical practice involves both the healthcare professional, an expert in the clinical condition and the patient who is an expert in what is important to them. A consultation involving shared decision making enables an examination of the options available, consideration of the risks and benefits whilst incorporating the values of the patient into the decision making process. A decision is aimed at, which is both clinically appropriate and is congruent with the patient's values.

Older people have been shown to value involvement, to varying degrees, in decisions about their care and treatment. The case of atrial fibrillation shows the opportunities for, and benefits of, sharing with older people decision making about their healthcare.

(Online publication January 26 2012)

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Correspondence:

c1 Address for correspondence: Dr Joanne Lally, SDM Programme Lead, Clinical Governance and Risk Department, 3rd Floor, Peacock Hall, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP. Email: j.e.lally@ncl.ac.uk