Proactive IBD Shared Decision-Making

Using Shared Decision-Making to Make Your Voice Heard

Adults in the US make an estimated 35,000 decisions a day.¹ Day-to-day decisions are important for people living with inflammatory bowel disease or other chronic diseases, as they navigate the complexity of managing a disease while maintaining a meaningful life.^2-5

Healthcare decisions should be made during collaborative conversations between patients and their healthcare providers (HCPs) because research shows that using a shared decision-making approach may improve health outcomes and quality of life.⁶ Unfortunately, less than half of patients feel that their HCPs understand their personal health goals and/or work with them as a team.⁷

Shared decision-making is a process through which the patient and HCP share in the decision-making process, with the HCP being the expert in treatment and the patient being the expert in their own preferences, priorities, and lifestyle.⁸ This process can help elevate the patient’s voice so they feel heard and instill confidence, reinforcing that they have made an informed choice that best fits their needs and goals.⁸

Many shared decision-making tools are available online. Examples include a comprehensive guide by the Society of Behavioral Medicine⁹; a communication guide from the Partnership for Clear Health Communication at the National Patient Safety Foundation¹⁰ ; and a personal decision guide from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.¹¹ These tools can help you prepare for appointments.

Remember to ask questions when you don’t understand your disease, diagnosis, or treatment options, and be sure to voice your personal values and wishes. Engaging in shared decision-making helps set realistic expectations, helps you and your HCPs function as a team with a unified goal, and enables you to feel confident about your care plan.

This post is sponsored by Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.

VV-MEDMAT-114545. Date of preparation: December 2024.

References:

^{1. Pignatiello GA, Martin RJ, Hickman RL Jr. Decision fatigue: a conceptual analysis. J Health Psychol. 2020;25(1):123-135.}

^{2. Holmen H, Larsen MH, Sallinen MH, et al. Working with patients suffering from chronic diseases can be a balancing act for health care professionals - a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies. BMC Health Serv Res. 2020 Feb 10;20(1):98. doi: 10.1186/s12913- 019-4826-2}

^{3. Baumgart DC, Sandborn WJ. Crohn’s disease. Lancet. 2012;380(9853):1590-1605.} 

^{4. Ordás I, Eckmann L, Talamini M, et al. Ulcerative colitis. Lancet. 2012;380(9853):1606-1619.}

^{5. Subramanian CR, Triadafilopoulos G. Care of inflammatory bowel disease patients in remission. Gastroenterol Rep. 2016;4(4):261-271.}

^{6. Légaré F, Adekpedjou R, Stacey D, et al. Interventions for increasing the use of shared decision making by healthcare professionals. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;7(7):CD006732.}

^{7. Alston C, Paget L, Halvorson G, et al. Communicating with patients on health care evidence. Institute of Medicine; September 2012. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://nam.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/VSRT-Evidence.pdf}

^{8. Fox JC, Lipstein EA. Shared decision making in gastroenterology: challenges and opportunities. Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes. 2020;4(2):183-189.}

^{9. Lewinski AA, Dawkins-Moultin L. 10 Tips for Getting the Most out of Your Doctor Visit. Society of Behavioral Medicine. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://www.sbm.org/healthy-living/10-tips-for-getting-the-most-out-of-your-doctor- visit}

^{10. Ask Me 3: Good Questions for Your Good Health. Partnership for Clear Health Communication at the National Patient Safety Foundation. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://www.ihs.gov/sites/healthcommunications/themes/responsive2017/display_obj ects/documents/AskMe_8-pg_NatAmer.pdf}

^{11. O’Connor AM, Stacey D, Jacobsen MJ. Ottawa Personal Decision Guide. Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; 2015. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://decisionaid.ohri.ca/decguide.html}

To integrate shared decision-making into nutrition, Nutritional Therapy for IBD developed an algorithm-based tool that guides discussions between healthcare providers and patients, helping to incorporate dietary options and enhance IBD care.