2020 Volume 30 Issue 1 Pages 77-90
Over the past few decades, the traditional paternalistic model of the patient-provider relationship has gradually shifted toward one involving mutual participation in which patient autonomy is respected and information and decisions are shared between the patient and healthcare providers. With an increase in chronic diseases, facilitating patient engagement in healthcare has been considered as a key to successful disease management and a priority on the policy agenda. In cancer consultations, which are often characterized by a higher degree of medical uncertainty and risk, the importance of SDM has been recognized from early on. With an increase in media reports and rapid diffusion of the internet, patients’ own skills in finding and applying information on health issues may have a substantial impact on their future well-being. SDM could be an opportunity to include and empower those who are normally disengaged and marginalized by improving the communication in healthcare, which may in turn reduce health inequalities.
