Start with the decision in front of you
Write one sentence describing what you need to discuss. It might be “I have been offered two ways forward and want to understand the difference.” If you are not sure what the decision is, make that your first question.
NHS England describes shared decision-making as a joint process: professional knowledge and evidence sit alongside your preferences and circumstances. You can ask for as much support with the discussion as you need.
Explain what a useful outcome would mean
Think of a real activity, responsibility or concern that you want the conversation to address. For example: “I care for someone in the mornings, so I need to understand how each option could affect that.” This is an illustrative prompt, not a prediction about any treatment.
Use these spaces to organise your thoughts:
- What I hope will become easier: …
- What worries me most about the options: …
- What my healthcare team should know about my routine: …
- What I still need explained: …
You can print this page or bring your own notes. The GP appointment checklist helps organise other information you may want to bring.
Compare the options together
Ask about likely benefits, harms and practical consequences, including what waiting or making no change would mean for you. NICE recommends discussing uncertainty and checking that the plan fits the person’s priorities.
If a number is hard to interpret, ask the clinician to explain it using the same group size and time period for each option. A general figure may not describe your individual situation. Ask whether a quality-assured patient decision aid is available to support the discussion. NHS England lists decision support tools for several conditions; use one with your clinician if it fits your decision.
This page does not recommend delaying care or changing medicines. Those decisions depend on your clinical circumstances and the conversation with your healthcare professional.
Check the plan before you finish
The NHS recommends checking your understanding and writing down what happens next. Try summarising the plan in your own words, then ask the professional to correct anything you have missed.
Keep a short record:
- The plan we discussed: …
- My next action and when: …
- The healthcare team’s next action: …
- Our review or follow-up arrangement: …
- The contact for questions or a change in my situation: …
If you leave with unanswered questions, our questions for your GP tool can help prepare a follow-up conversation. If a claim you read online prompted the question, bring its link and use the health information checking guide.
Common questions
- What if I do not feel ready to decide?
- Tell your healthcare professional what is unclear. Ask whether there is time for another discussion and what the consequences of waiting would be in your situation.
- Is this a patient decision aid?
- This is a conversation worksheet. It does not compare evidence for specific treatments. Ask your healthcare professional whether there is a quality-assured patient decision aid for the decision you are facing.