Share decisions with patients

By Douglas Shepherd

All doctors are being urged by the GMC to read and familiarise themselves with its new 40-page document Decision-making and consent before this comes into effect on Monday 9 November. 

The guidance, following ‘extensive consultation’ with doctors, lawyers, patient groups and others, emphasises that effective decision-making based on conversations between doctors and patients is fundamental to good care. 

It aims to help doctors have meaningful conversations with patients about their treatment and care options, and is designed to be easy to follow, taking account of the pressure doctors work under.