What is shared decision-making?
Shared decision-making (SDM) is a collaborative process where health professionals and patients work together to make medical decisions. It blends the best available evidence with the values, preferences and unique circumstances of each patient and family.
Why it matters
Shared decision-making improves satisfaction with decisions, increases commitment to treatment plans, reduces stress and uncertainty, and promotes patient and family empowerment.
Our approach
At Children’s Hospital, our shared decision-making service helps families navigate complex treatment choices by:
- Integrating sustainable decision supports across the hospital
- Offering unbiased guidance from outside the patient’s circle of care
- Supporting families through difficult or recurring decisions
- Honouring culture, values and family dynamics in health-care choices
Families may face tough decisions from diagnosis through long care journeys. Some want to be involved in every step, while others prefer to rely on their care team. Our service bridges this gap by building confidence, offering structured tools, and creating space for patient and family voices alongside medical expertise.
Our commitment
Children’s Hospital at LHSC is dedicated to providing compassionate, unbiased support during critical decision points. We prioritize collaboration, respect and trust to ensure a truly patient- and family-centred experience.
