ER3 – Educating patients to take part in shared decision making

Link to EAHP Statements
Section 1 – Introductory Statements and Governance: Statements – 1.3
Section 4 – Clinical Pharmacy: Statements – 4.1, 4.12
Section 6 – Education and Research: Statement Statements – 6.2

Abstract

Collaborating with patients about medications and their health is crucial for fostering shared decision making (SDM) in healthcare. SDM emphasizes collaboration between healthcare providers and patients, where decisions about treatment are made together, considering the best available evidence and the patient’s preferences.

SDM empowers individuals to actively participate in decisions about their health. When patients are well-informed about their medications, including benefits, potential side effects, and alternative options, they can make informed choices aligned with their personal values and circumstances. This understanding reduces uncertainties and promotes confidence in decision making, enhancing patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment plans and health outcomes. SDM is now seen internationally as a hallmark of good clinical practice and is included as a fundamental patient right in a growing number of national health care standards and legislation.

Hospital pharmacists can play a crucial role in empowering patients for SDM by acting as medication experts and patient advocates. Their expertise in pharmacotherapy, patient counseling, and interdisciplinary collaboration makes them well suited for this task. Their added value could be considered of specific relevance for patient groups with vulnerability, who are often facing greater support needs in their care.

In this seminar the presenters will share their experiences and expertise in how to empower themselves and their patients in SDM. They will provide tools and advice that can be applied by hospital pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, and will offer specific guidance in how to engage in SDM with vulnerable patient groups.

Learning objectives
After the session, the participant should be able to:
– Explain the importance of SDM in medication management.
– Recognize opportunities for SDM in daily pharmacotherapeutic care.
– Guide patients through weighing the pros and cons of different treatments while respecting their autonomy and personal circumstances and taking into account aspects of vulnerability.

Educational need addressed
Shared Decision Making (SDM) is increasingly used to promote patient-centered care and patient empowerment. However, its effective implementation is often limited by a number of factors. There is a need for hospital pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals, to become more proficient and confident in providing SDM to their patients, so to attain the high-quality health care that all patients need and deserve.

Keywords
Medication Therapy Management, Communication, Inter-professional Collaborative Practice, Education.