Discussion | 247 11 SDM has been proven to reduce DC and DR, while increasing patient satisfaction. Therefore, further enhancements in SDM practices could potentially provide significant benefits to patients. Furthermore, robust SDM practices help align treatment decisions with patients’ values, goals, and preferences. This alignment ultimately leads to better adherence to treatment plans and improved health outcomes17–19. Even though patients believe they are receiving sufficient SDM, the discrepancy between their perception and observed levels indicates gaps in understanding and engagement. Improving SDM practices will ensure patients have a clearer understanding of their options, empowering them to make informed decisions that align with their values. Therefore, enhancing SDM should remain a priority to ensure patients are well-informed, engaged, and supported in making decisions that best suit their needs. To enhance counseling practices and foster a more robust implementation of SDM, further education and training are needed for both patients and healthcare providers. However, a critical barrier to widespread SDM adoption lies in the prevailing apprehension among some physicians. Concerns regarding patient decision-making capabilities and the fear of patients choosing options deemed unfavorable by clinicians underscore a fundamental mindset shift that must occur within the medical community. Educating and empowering healthcare providers to embrace SDM as a collaborative process, grounded in respect for patient autonomy and informed choice, will be essential in fostering a culture conducive to its widespread integration. Throughout the years this has improved due to the integration of SDM training into the Dutch medical curriculum, enhancing the foundational knowledge among healthcare professionals. Additionally, public awareness campaigns like ‘Samen Beslissen’ (‘Shared DecisionMaking’)20 have increased the visibility and perceived importance of SDM. It has also been adopted into the healthcare visions of the Federation of Medical Specialists in the Netherlands21, signaling a formal recognition of its value. Moreover, ongoing research has expanded understanding and developed effective SDM tools, further supporting its practical application in clinical settings. This comprehensive approach has gradually transformed how decisions are made in healthcare, emphasizing collaboration and patient involvement. An SDM tool that is very popular at this moment is the patient decision aid (PDA). PDAs are tools designed to help patients understand their medical options, benefits, and risks, aiding them in making informed healthcare decisions that align with their personal values. They serve to bridge the information gap between patients and clinicians, promoting a more collaborative decision-making environment. PDAs are now being actively developed across various medical fields. Some commercial companies specialize in designing and implementing these tools in collaboration with different
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