Shared Decision Making

Shared decision making occurs when a health care provider and a patient work collaboratively to make a health care decision together that is best for the patient. Shared Decision Making is also the process of helping patients understand and participate in their health care decisions.

This course will explain what shared decision making is, who it benefits and how, and will teach learners how to have a shared decision-making conversation. The goals of shared decision making are for patients to be able to express their goals and values; and for patients to comprehensively understand both the risks and benefits of each of their options, and therefore be empowered to partner with their clinicians to make a decision that is best for them.

Target Audience

This course is designed for nurse practitioners, nurses, and other health care professionals who seek improved quality of care for the patients.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Explain what shared decision-making is.
  • Recognize the importance of discussing all treatment options & discern the importance of discussing risks and benefits with patients in this manner.
  • Identify opportunities to engage patients in shared decision-making.
  • List ways in which shared decision-making benefits patients.
  • Elicit patient concerns and goals related to treatment and testing, etc.
  • Apply their knowledge to caring with patients & be able to form a plan of care that incorporates shared decision-making with patients.
  • Facilitate a shared decision-making conversation.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.25 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.25 Attendance
Course opens: 
08/16/2023
Course expires: 
08/16/2026
Part of: 
UPMC Disabilities Resources Center Training

Planning Committee:
Ashli Molinero, DSc - Director, UPMC Disabilities Resource Center at UPMC

Course Directors:
Kaitlin A Kerr, RN, MSN - Clinical Educator for Disability Awareness - Disabilities Resources Center at UPMC

Conflict of Interest Disclosure:
No planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose.

In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 1.25 contact hours.

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Available Credit

  • 1.25 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.25 Attendance
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