Shared Decision-Making: A New Frontier for Case Management Leadership.

Abstract

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 PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTING(S):: Applicable to all health care sectors where professional case management is practiced. 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. 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.