Shared Decision Making
Proposal for a new information standard to define the patient record requirements for shared decision making which will also define sharing mechanisms.
Contents
About this standard
- Publisher
- NHS England
- Status
- Draft in progress
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Active. Active standards are stable, maintained and have been approved, assured or endorsed for use by qualified bodies.
Deprecated Deprecated standards are available for use and are maintained, but are being phased out, so new functionality will not be added.
Retired standards Retired standards are not being maintained or supported and should not be used.
- Standard type
- Information standards
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Collections. A Collection is a systematic gathering of a specified selection of data or information for a particular stated purpose from existing records held within health and care systems and electronic devices.
Extractions. An extraction is a type of collection that is pulled from an operational system by the data controller and transmitted to the receiver without additional processing or transcription by the sender.
Information standards. Information standards are agreed ways of doing something, written down as a set of precise criteria so they can be used as rules, guidelines, or definitions.
Technical Standards and specifications. Technical standards and specifications specify how to make information available technically including how the data is structured and transported.
- Contact point
england.standards.assurance@nhs.net
Using this standard
The Professional Record Standards Body (PRSB) were commissioned by NHS England to develop the following set of resources. These have been migrated into the NHS Standards Directory and will be managed by NHS England from 01 January 2026.
- Associated medias
Topics and care settings
- Topic
- Key care information
- Care setting
- Community health
- Dentistry
- Hospital
- Social care
- Urgent and Emergency Care
Review Information
- Scope
- NHS Services
- Contributor
- Professional Record Standards Body (PRSB)
Legal basis
- Licence information
Crown Copyright https://digital.nhs.uk/about-nhs-digital/terms-and-conditions
- Licence
NHS England permits the copying and re-use of Information Standards, in whole or in part, for commercial and non-commercial purposes but, to protect the integrity of the Information Standards, you are not permitted to adapt, amend or decompile the Information Standards for any purpose without our prior consent.
More information
Shared decision making is a collaborative process where clinicians and individuals consider treatment options based on evidence about their potential benefits and harms, to enable the person to decide the best course for themselves. The conversation and decision made should be informed by what matters to the person, their goals, values, hopes, ideas, concerns and expectations.
When people are listened to, given the information they need and the time and support to make informed decisions about their care and treatment, they have the potential for better outcomes and experiences of care.
About this standardThe information standard on shared decision making provides a framework for clinicians to record the decision-making process between themselves and their patients. The standard also allows the shared decision information to be shared between professionals and their different record systems. The standard has been developed based on the GMC guidance on shared decision-making and consent and the NICE guidelines.
Scope- The standard was developed with UK wide consultation and engagement to meet the needs of all four UK nations.
- The standard is intended for all areas of healthcare except for the noted exclusions
- The standard covers all ages including children
- Elective surgery
- Multiple long-term conditions
- Mental Health
- Genetic conditions
- Polypharmacy
- Orthopaedics
- Gynaecology
- Children and dentistry
- Maternity – The standard may work for maternity, but it is believed that this complex area justifies specific additional work and potentially an extended standard.
- Social Care – The Shared Decision Making Standard is defined for clinical uses and the consultation was targeted at healthcare professionals not social care professionals. However the standard’s principles may work in social care and in the future the standard could potentially be adapted for use in social care.
Page last updated: 19 December 2025