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Shared Decision Making: A Clinical Antimicrobial Stewardship Strategy
Shared Decision Making is an approach for an evidence-based clinical antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) strategy in which general practitioners (GPs) and patients collaborate to make informed decisions regarding antibiotic use.1-3
This strategy provides a process that involves discussing the issue at hand, exploring the patient’s expectations and concerns, the treatment options (e.g. using or not using antibiotics), the benefits and risks of each option, and collaboratively reaching a decision that incorporates the patient’s preferences and values.2-4
Shared decision making can reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections, without lowering patient satisfaction.1-2
Understanding Shared Decision Making (2 minutes)
The following 2-minute video provides an overview of shared decision making, including its key principles, benefits, and the role of decision support tools in helping GPs and patients make informed healthcare decisions together.
Using Patient Decision Aids (4 minutes)
Patient decision aids are concise, easy-to-understand written information materials which can support shared decision making by presenting the treatment options, their benefits and risks, and practical considerations to help patients clarify what matters to them.
See Shared Decision Making in Practice (8 minutes)
The following 8-minute video demonstrates how shared decision making can be incorporated into a consultation with a patient presenting with an acute respiratory infection, and initially requesting antibiotics.
As you watch the consultation, you can notice how the GP explores the patient’s expectations and preferences, discusses the options for managing her sore throat, the benefits and risks of the options, checks her understanding, and collaborates with the patient to agree on next steps.
Note: This consultation demonstrates a shared decision making discussion using a previous version of the decision aid that was current at the time of recording. While some content may differ from the latest version, the key principles and process of shared decision making remain unchanged.
Downloadable Patient Decision Aids
Practical in‑consult tools to guide discussions on treatment options, risks and expected recovery, supporting informed antibiotic decisions.
Downloadable Patient Information Sheets
Practical in‑consult tools to guide discussions on treatment options, risks and expected recovery, supporting informed antibiotic decisions.
References
- Coxeter P, Del Mar CB, McGregor L, Beller EM, Hoffmann TC. Interventions to facilitate shared decision making to address antibiotic use for acute respiratory infections in primary care. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Nov 12;2015(11):CD010907.
- Del Mar C, Hoffmann T, Bakhit M. How can general practitioners reduce antibiotic prescribing in collaboration with their patients? Aust J Gen Pract. 2022 Jan-Feb;51(1-2):25-30
- Magin P, Davey AR, Davis J. Evidence-based strategies for better antibiotic prescribing. Aust J Gen Pract. 2022 Jan-Feb;51(1-2):21-24.
- Australian Government Department of Health. Shared decision support in general practice: An antimicrobial stewardship strategy to promote appropriate use of antibiotics in primary care. Canberra (ACT): Australian Government Department of Health; 2021. Available from: https://www.amr.gov.au/resources/shared-decision-support-general-practice-antimicrobial-stewardship-strategy-promote-appropriate-use-antibiotics-primary-care