Shared Decision-Making Competencies

For all members of a health care team who interact with a patient about care decisions

Knowledge

• Understands and practices using the Guiding Principles of SDM for all patients with preference sensitive conditions or making decisions about health screening tests.
• Understands the definition of preference sensitive conditions and recognizes when to engage patients in SDM conversation.
• Uses decision aids, if available, for preference sensitive conditions or health screening tests when multiple options exist.
• Understands evidence-based treatment and screening options benefits/risks and the likeliness of occurring.
• Understands the difference between SDM, patient education, and informed consent.
• Uses the steps of SDM conversation model to ensure patients’ values, personal preferences, and choice are respected at all times.
• Assesses readiness to learn.
• Understands the right timing to use a decision aid (pre-visit, during visit or post visit).
• Identifies key stakeholders to engage in SDM, including friends, family, and other care team members.

Communication Skills

• Demonstrates effective communication skills.
• Demonstrates effective listening skills.
• Demonstrates effective questioning skills.
• Demonstrates effective information giving skills.

Documentation

• Understands SURE decisional regret points, documents for each patient.
• Documents status of decision in the EMR. Practice of Decision-Making
• Uses SDM workflow consistently.
• Uses resources on the healthcare team effectively to assist patients with medical decision making, e.g., social services, care coordination.
• Evaluates and champions SDM with team members and executive leadership to evaluate effectiveness of
workflows and process.

>> SDM Competencies Checklist