Providers have access to several shared decision-making tools adopted by AmeriHealth HMO, Inc. and AmeriHealth Insurance Company of New Jersey. These collaborative tools, used by clinicians and patients, are considered the accepted standard of care in the medical profession.
Using such tools and techniques may lead to improved patient outcomes. The tools include:
- electronic, interactive, and paper-based decision aids
- risk calculators
- storyboards
- videos in multiple languages
- additional decision aids in literature resources
Shared decision-making aids
The Shared Decision Making National Resource Center, on caret hatfits.org, promotes and provides shared decision-making through evidenced-based patient decision aids and techniques. Tools are available for these medical and behavioral health conditions:
- Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) Choice
- Anticoagulation
- Cardiovascular Primary Prevention
- Chest Pain
- Depression Medication
- Graves Disease Treatment
- Diabetes Medication
- Head CT
- Osteoporosis
- Otitis Media
- Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
- Smoking Cessation Around the Time of Surgery
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Statin
Shared decision-making aids are adopted from national sources and are presented to the Clinical Quality Committee for recommendations regarding implementation and monitoring strategies. Providers can also link to these aids on our Internet Resources webpage.
Working with your patients
Providers and patients have different expertise and experiences when it comes to making consequential clinical decisions. Providers know about the disease, tests, and treatments, while patients know about their bodies, circumstances, and goals for life and health care.
Shared decision-making involves developing a partnership based on empathy, exchanging information about available options, deliberating potential consequences, and deciding by consensus. Shared decision-making may improve patient outcomes in situations where options exist, and patient preferences are relevant.*
*Elwyn G & Durand M. Mastering Shared Decision Making: The When, Why and How. Accessed online at https://www.ebsco.com/sites/g/files/nabnos191/files/acquiadam-assets/66751298.pdf