We want you to play an active part in your care and treatment, based on ‘what matters to you’. Making sure you understand what’s going on with your health, so you can make better decisions around your care and treatment. Shared decision making is the term the NHS and healthcare use to describe this; when people and doctors, nurses or health care professionals work together to make evidence based decisions centred on what matters to you and your goals.
Imagine a world where you…
- Feel that it’s ok to ask questions.
- Work with your doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals to share decisions as equals.
- Are involved in the treatment options and decisions.
- Think about the questions you want to ask at your health appointment and have time to ask them.
- Get the information you need from doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Watch our It’s Ok to Ask film
When you understand what’s going on with your health, you can make better decisions around your care and treatment. Knowing more about you can help doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals give you the best advice and care. This may be to select a test or intervention such as going ahead with surgery or choosing a different treatment option.
Preparing for your appointment
- Feel free to bring a family member or friend to your appointment. They can ask questions too and help you remember what is said and take notes.
- Don’t be afraid to tell your healthcare professional if you don’t understand what they’ve said.
- Don’t feel embarrassed about asking your healthcare professional to explain things again.
- Ask your healthcare professional to write down and explain any words you don’t know or understand.
- Write your questions down before the appointment to make sure you ask everything you want to.
- Remember is it ok to ask again if anything is unclear.
- Write notes about your symptoms, medicines or other health issues to take with you.
- Complete an About me – NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB and take it with you. It is a quick and easy form that is about you, to say what matters to you and what is important to you. It will help you have a better conversation with your healthcare professional.
