Shared Decision Making

Poor communication between healthcare providers and patients represents a risk to patient safety. When an adverse outcome occurs, the quality of patient-provider communication can be an important factor in determining whether a malpractice claim is filed, and determining the outcome of malpractice lawsuits. Poor communication can also result in patient dissatisfaction and complaints, producing health system costs for complaint resolution. Patient outcomes post-surgery can also be adversely affected by poor patient-provider communication.

We implemented a pilot shared decision-making process for orthopaedic surgery procedures at UW Medicine. We implemented informative, patient-friendly, peer-reviewed, shared decision-making tools for patients undergoing orthopedic spine surgery. These tools detail the nature and character of anesthetic and surgical procedures; risks, benefits, and alternatives; follow-up care; and include "teach-back" from patient to provider.