Shared Decision-Making for Improved Therapy Outcomes
Presented by Emily Elliott
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In today’s healthcare climate, with declining reimbursement structures and increasing demand for improved outcomes, therapists are challenged to do more with less. Shared decision-making is a collaborative communication strategy that aligns with patient-centered care, yet many therapists don’t know about it or leverage it fully. This course, designed for physical and occupational therapists as well as speech language pathologists and athletic trainers, will highlight how research supports this communication model across multiple disciplines and rehab settings. In addition, this course will provide instructions and case study examples on how a few small changes to the way you approach patient care at any visit can make a big impact for the patient, for the therapist, and for the industry.
Meet your instructor
Emily Elliott
Emily Elliott received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tennessee, and her Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. Her clinical experience is diverse, spanning patient populations from ortho to neuro…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. What Is Shared Decision-Making?
Shared decision-making is a collaborative approach wherein the patient and the therapist make collective decisions about therapy care, such as goal setting, treatment options, and more. Research supports this dynamic communication approach within the therapy industry across multiple settings and disciplines. Learn how this approach is different from traditional healthcare conversations, in which the provider is responsible for solving problems and giving solutions.
2. Benefits of Shared Decision-Making
Shared decision-making is a balanced approach that has more benefits than a traditional top-down communication style. This chapter will highlight how patients feel empowered to participate in therapy when they are respected as whole people, how the decision burden of the therapist is lightened, how the cost containment benefits help the organization financially, and how the satisfied patient becomes a lifelong referral source.
3. Invite the Patient
This fluid and dynamic communication style can be divided into three phases, with the first phase being an invitation for the patient to participate in care decisions. Our patients want to have choices and be a part of decisions that impact their recovery but may not expect that you want to hear their perspectives. In this chapter, you will watch a role-playing video of how this is executed in the clinic.
4. Share Topics
The second phase of shared decision-making is when the patient and therapist exchange information. Actively listening to the patient's values, preferences, and experiences will help shape the plan of care. The clinician will use evidence-based medicine and clinical experience to help educate the patient on knowledge gaps and equip the patient for the final stage of shared decision-making.
5. Agree Upon and Execute a Mutual Plan
The third phase of shared decision-making begins when the patient and therapist have exchanged information and are ready to make decisions together. When the plan is finalized, the next step is to take action. The beauty of shared decision-making is that the process is never rigid, and all three phases can be revisited anytime new information is gained or the agreed upon plan isn't providing the desired effects.
