What is Shared Decision-Making?
Shared decision-making is a healthy–and, in our view, critical–component of the patient-physician relationship. It happens when patients and their healthcare providers work together to make decisions about treatment that are informed by science, the patient’s history, and the patient’s values and preferences.
August 6, 2025 Webinar
What It Means To Me
Decisional Conflict Scale
This interactive tool determines how clear, informed, and supported you feel when making a decision. Click the image below to get started!
Preparing for Your Appointment
Decision aids are materials that help patients understand their treatment options and think about what matters most to them when making healthcare decisions with their providers. Manage My Lupus and My Birth Control, linked below, are examples of decision aids.
Manage My Lupus
Manage My Lupus is an easy-to-use app that helps people with lupus compare different medication options and provides guidance on managing side effects.
My Birth Control
My Birth Control is an interactive website that aids people in finding contraception that works for them. It is available in both English and Spanish.
Adolescent & Young Adult Health Literacy Guide
Click the image below to view and download the Adolescent & Young Adult Health Literacy Guide, developed by YP AREA’s own Hayden Adams.
During Your Appointment
Shared decision-making depends on good communication. Patients and healthcare providers can each learn and practice these skills to work together and make healthcare decisions based on what matters most to the patient.
The DECIDE Program
The DECIDE trial tested a program that improved communication, reduced bias, and supported equal, high-quality care for everyone.
Downloadable Pocket Cards
Bring these pocket cards to your appointments to help facilitate conversations with your healthcare team.
Blogs on Shared Decision-Making
Sex, (Prescribed) Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll: Approaching sexual and reproductive health with an autoimmune disease
On November 13th, Young Patients’ AREA
Finding My Voice: Building a Partnership with my New Rheumatologist
My name is Kelsey, I’m 23
Shared Decision-Making Event Recap
On August 6th, Young Patients’ AREA
Interested in attending events on shared decision-making? Check out our calendar here!
