Shared Decision Making and Ethics

Shared decision making is an essential part of the provision of quality health care services. It is a process whereby healthcare professionals, patients and their families work together to come up with a course of action that is best for the patient based on their preferences, values, and circumstances. Shared decision making involves communication, trust, and collaboration, which leads to the resolution of any ethical issues that might arise. Ethics is the branch of philosophy that is concerned with determining good and bad behavior or conduct. Ethics is an important part of shared decision making since it provides a framework that can guide the conversation and decision making process. In healthcare, ethical issues can arise in various situations, such as end-of-life care, informed consent, allocation of resources, and confidentiality. For example, ethical dilemmas can arise when a patient's family wants to continue treatment even though the patient's chances of recovery are slim. Shared decision making ensures that ethical issues are addressed since patients and their families are actively involved in the decision-making process. The healthcare professional provides information about the various treatment options, the risks and benefits of each, and allows the patient to make an informed decision based on their preferences and values. In situations where ethical issues arise, shared decision making provides a forum for the healthcare professional, patient, and family to discuss and resolve the issue together. In conclusion, shared decision making and ethics are important components of quality healthcare provision. By involving patients and their families in the decision-making process, shared decision making ensures that ethical issues are addressed, and decisions made are consistent with the patient's values and preferences. Healthcare professionals, patients, and families should work together to facilitate this process, which ultimately leads to better health outcomes for patients.