When it comes to Multiple Sclerosis (MS), shared decision making has long been regarded as the best way to approach treatment decisions. Shared decision making is not really anything revolutionary; at the heart of it, it places a mutual amount of power in the patient’s lap. Doctors and patients work together to come up with the best possible treatment and care plan for the person dealing with MS. Obviously, the final decision resides with the patient, but there is a more collaborative approach to treatment.
According to a recent research article, shared decision making is comprised of five steps. These include:
- Patient participation
- Comparing and contrasting treatment options
- Taking patient values and desires into account
- Making a decision with the patient
- Evaluating the patient’s decision with them
These all seem perfectly reasonable. At a casual first glance, there is nothing out of the ordinary in this list. And that’s what makes the need for this list so surprising! All of these elements should be taken into account at some level when treatment and care decisions are being made, whether the patient has MS or some other illness or disease.
What researchers have been finding is that shared decision making can help improve the quality of care that someone receives, even if the only difference is from a mental perspective. It gives the person being treated a sense of ownership and responsibility in what is happening. And if you think about how many elderly individuals are treated during their latter years, this is the exact opposite of what often happens. This is unfortunate, and it is completely unnecessary.
In a much more ideal situation, this is how senior care should be managed, too. After all, the person in need of care will be the one that is most highly impacted by their need for care, just like an MS patient is. Your mom or dad will be the one that is impacted throughout their days, and creating a shared approach to the decision making process gives them a say in their care. When someone has more control over what is happening to them externally, it’s no secret that mental health levels often improve. Even if this only creates a small sense of increased quality of life, this is a good way to help your parent to create a better life for themselves. At a time where helplessness is a common and overwhelming emotion, this can be much more than a small step forward.
We realize that there are cases where this isn’t possible. Think about someone with advanced Alzheimer’s Disease, for example. In these cases, shared decision making is not realistic. However, if you start these conversations with your loved one early on–well before senior care is needed–then a better picture of what their desires are will emerge. As changes to their plan are needed because of health issues, they can be made. But by knowing exactly what is desired, your parent’s personal plan for their care can be more closely followed.
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