Abstract
Purpose/Objectives: Despite improved access to information, many people are neither engaged in their health care nor in the decision-making process. As the hub of care coordination, case managers are perfectly positioned to participate in and support shared decision-making (SDM) efforts. This article addresses SDM from a case management perspective.
The objectives are to
* define SDM and its process;
* discuss the ethical mandate of SDM;
* present an SDM approach;
* identify support for SDM within case management foundational documents;
* associate SDM to case management communication and relationship skills; and
* present an informed consent to case management scenario using a modified process recording.
Primary Practice Setting(s): Applicable to all health care sectors where professional case management is practiced.
Findings/Conclusions: Communication skill is an essential case management competency. Shared decision-making is a communication process in which a case manager and a client collaborate to make the best health care decisions based on what matters most to the client. Case managers must undertake education and training to become fluent in shared decision-making as a core feature of person-centered, professional practice.
Implications for Professional Case Management Practice: Professional case managers must understand the concept and principles of shared decision-making as applies in their practice as well as their responsibilities to support care team colleagues using shared decision-making concepts. Organizations should incorporate shared decision-making language in program descriptions, individual performance plans, satisfaction surveys, and department/organization goals.