
The provision of clear, evidence-based information about options and likely outcomes is an essential basis for shared decision-making (see Box 1). Providing patients with the required information This article covers how pharmacists and healthcare professionals can support patients in reaching informed decisions about their care. Pharmacists and healthcare professionals need excellent communication and listening skills in order to inform patients, check their understanding, elicit their goals and help them clarify their preferences, together with a commitment to reaching decisions collaboratively. It is especially important to encourage patient participation in relation to medicines, as medicine-taking relies on the patient to understand, accept and administer the treatment Shared decision-making is a collaborative process in which healthcare professionals and patients work together to select tests, treatments, management or support packages, with all decisions being based on clinical evidence and the patient’s informed preferences, ,, The patient’s capacity to manage the treatment and its consequences.The patient’s health beliefs, goals and preferences.The likely effectiveness of the respective treatment options, their risks and side effects.


The patient’s diagnosis, prognosis and comorbidities.Several factors must be considered to determine the most appropriate treatment for a patient, which include: different drugs), support packages, preventive strategies or lifestyle changes, in addition to the ‘no active treatment’ option, advice and reassurance. At most clinical decision points, there are several possibilities that could be taken into account to alleviate the patient’s problem or concern, including different treatments (e.g. There are few decisions in medicine where there is only one unequivocally correct answer for everyone. Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research.International Journal of Pharmacy Practice.Antimicrobial resistance and stewardship.
#Informed decisions code
To find out what palliative care resources are available near you, The Center to Advance Palliative Care allows you to search by zip code and preferred site of care (for example: home or hospital). There is even a quiz you can take if you aren’t sure, and handouts you can share with your doctor. You can get palliative care in your home, hospital, clinic, rehab center, or in a nursing home. Some palliative care teams have physical therapists, speech therapists, pharmacists, dieticians, and trained volunteers.


This can often include doctors, nurses, social workers, and spiritual care providers. To receive palliative care, you do not need a doctor to certify that you have a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six-months or less.Ī palliative care program assists patients of any age, at any stage of their illness, with a specially trained team. It is for people with a serious or life threatening medical problem. It focuses on relieving symptoms, pain, and the stress of a serious illness to optimize patient comfort and quality of life. Palliative care is a philosophy of patient and family-centered care.
