Patient engagement and shared decision-making

Abstract

Neurology is inherently patient-centered given that clinical uncertainty is common, forcing physicians, patients, and families to partner on treatment approach. An increasing emphasis on patient-centered care, patient engagement, and shared decision-making (SDM) in health care provides neurologists with an opportunity to reassess current clinical approaches to decision-making. Such assessment is not simply theoretical but has clear practice implications, with patients indicating a desire for SDM and calls for reimbursement to be tied to demonstration of SDM in practice. We present a framework for how neurologists enhance patient-centered practice by (1) eliciting patients' values and goals, (2) targeting discussion of clinical options to those values and goals, and (3) partnering with patients to make individualized decisions. We also highlight resources that facilitate SDM and examples of SDM in neurology clinical practice.