Deciding together
Shared decision making
= optimal treatment
Patients with cancer are usually faced with difficult questions: Which treatment is right for me? And what are the arguments in favor of one treatment or against another? What ideas and expectations do I have? Decision-making aids
What does Shared Decision Making (SDM) mean?
Shared decision making (SDM) is the process of joint decision-making in which patients make a treatment decision together with their treating physicians.
They are actively asked about their circumstances, ideas and expectations and are informed about the treatment options that can be considered in their situation - including the associated advantages and disadvantages. Importantly, all information is scientifically proven.
The aim of shared decision making is to work with patients to decide on the best possible treatment that makes medical sense and takes their personal circumstances and needs into account.
The advantages of shared decision making
With the introduction of SDM, patients are given greater involvement in treatment decisions. They are also actively supported in this process, e.g. through discussions with trained SDM care professionals (decision coach).
Scientific findings show that SDM can increase patient autonomy, health literacy and adherence to treatment. Patients who are involved in their medical decisions through SDM are usually more aware of difficult decisions and often cope better with possible side effects.
Decision-making aids online
In collaboration with SHARE TO CARE GmbH, the BZKF has developed online services to support patients.
In the online decision aids, patients can find information on their options based on the latest scientific findings: illustrated by infographics, explanatory films by doctors and videos with patient reports.
Decision-making aids
There is a separate flyer for decision aids for prostate cancer:
Bavaria goes SDM: Shared Decision Making in the BZKF network
While Shared Decision Making (SDM) has so far only been implemented selectively in Germany, Bavaria is the first federal state to systematically introduce it as part of patient-centered care for patients with cancer.
The BZKF SDM project group is taking an evidence-based approach to implementation. The aim of the project group is to use and expand the structures established as part of the "Bavaria goes SDM" project in order to answer scientific questions on the topic of SDM and to expand the topics of shared decision making and communication in Bavaria.
In a coordinated approach, the aim is to successfully establish SDM as an integral part of the clinical care routine at all six Bavarian university hospitals. This systematic implementation enables a standardized evaluation of the introduction of SDM in the healthcare context of a large state for the first time.
SDM in the media
30.10.2024
Healthcare discussion Shared decision making - patients, doctors and nurses work together to find the best treatment. How can this work? A large-scale project has been launched in Bavaria. The Health Interview tries it out.
16.10.2024
Podacast "Put through your paces - health, nutrition & fitness to go" on the topic of shared decision making: why patient participation makes a difference
24.02.2024
As part of the Cancer Action Day 2024, Serap Tari (LMU Munich) and Traudl Baumgartner (BRCA Network) spoke on the topic of Shared Decision Making - decision making in a team.
Press release: Bavaria goes SDM
29.08.2023
tz: How patients make good decisions
26.07.2023
Münchner Merkur: Doctor and patient as a double team
24.07.2023
Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung: Patient and doctor make decisions together Bayern goes SDM
13.07.2023
Journal Med: Shared Decision Making: How does it work in practice?
06.06.2023
TV-Mainfranken: Bavaria goes SDM: Würzburg University Hospital is also part of the project
24.05.2023
Aerztezeitung: "Bayern goes SDM": Patient and doctor decide together