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Barriers to shared decision making

Why shared decision making may not always happen

Students at ARCH recovery college were asked why they thought shared decision making doesn’t always happen. The answers they came up with are shown below.

Why does shared decision making not always happen?

  • Wanting to let professionals lead their choices.
  • Lack of assertiveness skills.
  • Feeling unprepared or overwhelmed.
  • Issues with memory or concentration.
  • Feeling uncomfortable with clinician.
  • Potential risks deemed too great.
  • The need for someone else to act urgently.
  • Lack of honesty and openness from staff.
  • Feeling suspicious and paranoid.

Think about:

  1. Have you any experience of shared decision making?
  2. Can you think of any other things that might get in the way of shared decision making?