Article | Safer Care: How Shared Decision-Making Can Improve Patient Safety

Article | Safer Care: How Shared Decision-Making Can Improve Patient Safety

• Shared decision-making (SDM) is a key aspect of quality care, where patients actively collaborate with their health care providers to make informed health choices. Dr. Janet Reynolds, a family physician in Alberta who prioritizes this approach, understands that involving patients in their treatment decisions can lead to better outcomes, fewer medical errors, and improved patient safety. It can also help reduce unnecessary procedures and treatments. In many cases, patients leave SDM discussions with a better understanding of the potential impacts, harms, and benefits of a particular test or treatment, resulting in a feeling of greater control. SDM operates on the principle of discussion and open, ongoing communication, allowing the clinician to understand their biases and focus on what matters to each patient.

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