What resources are available to enhance my skills in shared decision-making with patients?

Resources to enhance your skills in shared decision-making with patients include:

• Access to quality-assured patient decision aids that are evidence-based, relevant to the clinical setting, and familiar to you before use. These aids form part of a broader toolkit to support shared decision making alongside communication skills and other interventions ¹.
• Training and continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities that cover key shared decision-making skills such as encouraging patients to express what matters to them, using clear language, involving family or carers, and effectively using patient decision aids. Training should be practical, including role play, and may include 'train-the-trainer' workshops to build local expertise ¹.
• Organisational support networks for shared decision-making trainers and healthcare professionals, which may include service users as trainers, to share expertise and promote consistent information provision ¹.
• Access to high-quality, reliable information sources such as NICE-accredited materials, NHS website resources, and patient organisation information to support discussions and patient understanding ¹.
• Resources in multiple formats (print, digital, apps) to prepare patients for discussions, helping them consider what matters to them and what questions to ask, which also supports your shared decision-making process ¹.

Engaging with these resources and training opportunities will enhance your confidence and competence in shared decision making, ensuring patients are fully involved in decisions about their care ¹,².