Enhancing and Implementation of Shared Decision-Making (SDM) in Rheumatology Practice: Tools, Skills & Implementation

The workshop agenda and associated costs will be provided in due course.

Synopsis

Background & Rationale

Shared decision-making (SDM) is a key element of patient-centered care, enabling patients and clinicians to collaborate on making informed choices that align with patients’ values, preferences, and the best available evidence. Research shows that SDM improves engagement, satisfaction, outcomes, and may reduce unwarranted variation in care. 

In rheumatology, where treatment choices often involve necessary trade-offs (e.g., efficacy vs. safety, long-term monitoring, lifestyle impact), effective SDM is especially relevant. However, its implementation in routine practice can be challenging. Across the Asia-Pacific region, a significant shortage of rheumatologists and the increasingly high volume of clinics mean that clinicians often struggle to find sufficient time for detailed discussions. As a result, SDM, though widely acknowledged as essential, may not be consistently practiced, and a shared understanding of SMD across Asia Pacific countries may be absent.  

Hence, this workshop aims to equip participants with knowledge, practical tools, interactive experiences, and a plan for implementing SDM in rheumatology practice, even in resource-limited and time-constrained settings, and to develop a consensus statement about SDM in rheumatology care in the Asia Pacific region.

Learning Objectives
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the core principles and steps of shared decision-making (SDM) in a clinical rheumatology setting.
2. Apply practical decision-aid tools (or design one) for use with patients who live with rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions (RMDs).
3. Identify barriers and facilitators to implementing SDM in their institution/setting and develop a concrete action plan for change.
4. Practice SDM through interactive role-play case-based activities, and vignettes.
5. Contribute to the co-design of consensus statement on SDM in rheumatology care, specific to the Asia Pacific region.