Teamwork and Collaborative Leadership Lesson

How do care provider teams work with patients?

Clearly-defined roles that support team functioning also support sharing decision making with the client/patient. Ideally, the team members share power, share knowledge, and have mutual trust and respect for each other. Each team needs an Initiator; this is anyone who initiates the PCDM process (28). The Initiator can be a healthcare professional who identifies that a decision needs to be made. Often the Initiator will work with others to begin a key part of the PCDM process: they will name and explain the issue or the health concern.

Then a Decision Coach is identified to support the client's involvement in decision making; this person is one of the providers on the team (28). Healthcare professionals from at least two different disciplines are involved simultaneously or sequentially in the process with the support of the Decision Coach to conduct a few key elements in the PCDM process.

One role of the Decision Coach is to assess the patient's preference for the amount and type of information, and help them to interpret and understand their options and decisions. The Decision Coach will help other providers present the options, including the pros and cons. After options have been presented and discussed, the Decision Coach will clarify that the patient understands the options and ensures that all questions have been answered.