This course explains what shared decision-making is, why UK law and professional standards require it, and how to do it well in a busy clinical setting. You will learn a practical three-stage approach, how to explain risk in numbers patients understand, and how to record a shared decision clearly.
What you will learn
- Explain the legal and professional basis for shared decision-making in the UK, including the Montgomery judgment and NICE guideline NG197.
- Use a structured approach to present options, including the option of doing nothing, and explore what matters to the patient.
- Communicate benefits and risks using absolute numbers and natural frequencies rather than relative risk alone.
- Check understanding using teach-back and adapt the conversation for patients with language, literacy or capacity needs.
- Document a shared decision in a way that shows the options discussed, the risks explained and the patient's reasons for their choice.
Course content
- What shared decision-making is and why it matters (2 min)
- The legal and professional basis (3 min)
- A practical three-stage approach (3 min)
- Communicating risk so patients understand it (4 min)
- Adapting the conversation (2 min)
- Case study: a decision about knee pain (2 min)
- Documenting and building it into everyday practice (2 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- GMC: Good Medical Practice (2024) and Decision making and consent (2020)
- NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018), including the sections on treating people as individuals, respecting the right to make decisions, and communicating clearly
- HCPC: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics (2024), including valid consent and communicating appropriately
- GPhC: Standards for pharmacy professionals (2017), including providing person-centred care and communicating effectively
- NICE guideline NG197: Shared decision making (2021)
- Mental Capacity Act 2005 and its Code of Practice
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.