2. Why Does Person-Centered Decision Making Matter?

There is considerable evidence that engaging in a PCDM process is beneficial for both patients/clients and providers. Researchers have found that PCDM both improves health outcomes and reduces provider stress (1). People perceived they had better recovery from their discomfort or concern, better emotional health 2 months later, and a reduction of about 50% in rates of diagnostic tests and referrals (1). The most important association with good outcomes was the person's perception that all of the people involved had found common ground (1, 2). Providers report a sense of relief from sole responsibility and greater confidence in the care plan when they have engaged in a person-centered decision making process (2).

The healthcare conversation that is based on a Person-Centered Decision Making model (3, 4):

  • Improves knowledge
  • Increases overall engagement and empowerment
  • Expands opportunity for agreement between care provider and person
  • Increases satisfaction
  • Reduces use of healthcare services
  • Reduces costs
  • Facilitates appropriate service use (e.g. major surgery versus low-intervention options)
  • Better treatment adherence
  • Augments confidence and coping skills
  • Strengthens health behaviors