SDM Medical Abbreviation: Patient Decisions in Care

What SDM Means in Medicine

SDM stands for Shared Decision-Making.

It is a patient-centered approach to healthcare decisions. The provider explains the available options, benefits, risks, and uncertainties, while the patient shares their goals, preferences, and concerns.

The final decision is made through discussion rather than by the provider or patient alone.

When Is SDM Used?

SDM is especially useful when more than one reasonable care option is available.

It may be used when discussing:

• Treatment choices
• Surgery or procedures
• Screening decisions
• Long-term condition management
• Rehabilitation options
• Preventive care
• End-of-life care
• Whether to continue, change, or stop a treatment

SDM is most valuable when the best choice depends partly on what matters most to the patient.

What Happens During Shared Decision-Making?

Shared decision-making usually includes several steps:

1. Identify the decision: The provider explains that a choice needs to be made.
2. Review the options: The available approaches are discussed, including their possible benefits and risks.
3. Discuss patient priorities: The patient shares goals, concerns, preferences, and practical needs.
4. Compare the choices: The provider and patient consider how each option fits the patient’s situation.
5. Agree on a decision: They choose the option that best matches the available evidence and the patient’s priorities.

The SHARE approach from AHRQ uses a similar five-step process to help healthcare professionals apply shared decision-making in practice.

Why SDM Matters

SDM helps patients take an active role in their healthcare.

It can help patients better understand:

• What choices are available
• What each option may involve
• Possible benefits and harms
• Areas of uncertainty
• How each choice may affect daily life
• Which option best matches their priorities

A systematic review found that shared decision-making models commonly include discussing options, exploring patient preferences, weighing choices, and reaching a decision together.

SDM vs MDM

SDM and MDM sound similar, but they describe different processes.

Shared Decision-Making involves both the patient and provider. It focuses on comparing care options while considering the patient’s values and preferences.

Medical Decision Making describes the provider’s clinical reasoning. It includes evaluating medical problems, reviewing information, considering risk, and deciding how care should be managed.

The two can work together. A provider may use MDM to understand the clinical options and then use SDM to discuss those options with the patient.

SDM vs Other Care Planning Terms

SDM is related to several healthcare concepts, but each has a different role.

• SDM (Shared Decision-Making): The process of patients and providers making healthcare decisions together.
• GOC (Goals of Care): The patient’s broader treatment goals, values, and care priorities.
• MDM (Medical Decision Making): The provider’s clinical reasoning when assessing problems, evidence, and risk.
• POC (Plan of Care): The specific plan used to guide treatment, monitoring, and follow-up.
• Informed Consent: The process of giving patients enough information to voluntarily agree to a treatment or procedure.
• Advance Directive: A legal document describing healthcare wishes for situations when the patient may not be able to communicate them.

SDM focuses specifically on the decision-making process between the patient and healthcare professional.