Engaging patients in shared decision-making about their health management is increasingly important to improving health outcomes and quality of life for persons with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. In shared decision-making, the patient and the provider are partners who share information and determine together the best therapeutic interventions to achieve desired health outcomes and patient goals.
Studies suggest that patients actively involved in health management decisions are more satisfied with their care and have improved functioning and greater commitment to treatment recommendations.1-4 Fraenkel and McGraw identify five essential elements to enable patient participation in medical decision-making:
- Patient knowledge;
- Explicit provider encouragement of patient participation;
- Appreciation of the patient’s right to be an active partner in decision-making;
- Patient awareness of choice; and
- Sufficient time for both the patient and the provider to receive and process information.5
Rheumatology health professionals need to go beyond prescribing and providing health services for their patients to empowering patients to become informed decision-makers in managing their disease. Healthcare providers need to work with patients to identify treatments and interventions that fit the individual patient’s values, preferences, goals, and lifestyle. Strategies to engage and empower patients in shared decision-making include:
Pages: 1 | 2 | Single Page