As part of our outpatients transformation programme we are launching the "It’s ok to ask" national campaign with our patients across the Frimley Health and Care Integrated Care System.
The purpose of the campaign is to support shared decision-making conversations between patients and clinicians that will enable patients to make better decisions about their care and treatment.
Shared decision making is a joint process in which a healthcare professional works together with a patient to reach a decision about their care. It involves discussing treatment options, including doing nothing, based both on evidence and on the person's individual preferences, beliefs and values.
The discussions and information sharing make sure the person understands the risks, benefits and possible consequences of the different options.
Further information can be found at on the NICE website and the NHS England website
Patients will be encouraged to ask 4 main questions
- What are the risks of my treatment?
- What are the benefits of my treatment?
- What if I do nothing?
- Are there other treatments I can try?
As part of the transformation programme there will be an optional survey for patients to complete following their outpatients appointment, they will have the details of this on their outpatient letters - Shared Decision Making Patient Survey
The survey will run for a minimum of 3 months, after which we will review the results received.