Shared decision-making
Health Sociology
Definition. Shared decision-making is a process in which clinicians and patients make health decisions together, combining the best evidence with the patient’s values and preferences.
Explanation
Charles, Gafni and Whelan described its essential features: at least two participants, information sharing in both directions and agreement on the decision (Charles et al., 1997). Embedding it in routine practice is an implementation challenge, which normalisation process theory helps to explain (May, 2013). Health literacy shapes how equitably patients can take part (Muscat et al., 2024).
Related concepts
Patient-centered care Patient participation Health literacy Low-value care
Read on The Health Topics
- Innovation in Healthcare: Normalization Process Theory and Shared Decision Making
- Health Literacy and Healthcare Decision-Making Equity
References
Charles, C., Gafni, A., & Whelan, T. (1997). Shared decision-making in the medical encounter: What does it mean? (Or it takes at least two to tango). Social Science & Medicine, 44(5), 681–692. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(96)00221-3
May, C. (2013). Agency and implementation: Understanding the embedding of healthcare innovations in practice. Social Science & Medicine, 78, 26–33.
Muscat, D. M., Cvejic, E., Smith, J., Thompson, R., Chang, E., Tracy, M., Zadro, J., & McCaffery, K. (2024). Equity in Choosing Wisely and beyond: the effect of health literacy on healthcare decision-making and methods to support conversations about overuse. BMJ Quality & Safety. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2024-017411
Cite this entry: Kurutkan, M. N. (2026). Shared decision-making. In The Health Topics glossary. https://healthtopic.org/glossary/shared-decision-making/