Table 2.

 Attitudes and behaviours that enhance shared decision making

Patient themes	Physician themes
PT1 – acts in a relational way  • Seeks a personal connection with the physician  • Trusts the physician  • Demonstrates respect and consideration   or empathy for the physician	PH1 – acts in a relational way  • Uses non‐verbal behaviours to connect with the patient  • Is personal (shares interests, humour, feelings) while being professional  • Stays in connection over the long term  • Doesn’t rush. Takes time during the clinical encounter or afterwards (includes follow‐up)  • Trusts the patient to be truthful  • Expresses empathy, compassion, and/or caring  • Respects the person without passing judgement (includes intelligence, culture, psychosocial context,   and style)
PT2 – understands and expresses feelings, preferences and information about self  • Is aware of feelings and expresses them  • Recognizes and expresses personal priorities and preferences.    (Includes needs, preferences regarding participation,    preferences about care.)  • Considers family (and significant other)    needs when making choices  • Describes symptoms and their personal significance  • Answers questions honestly	PH2 – explores patient’s feelings, preferences and information about self  • Listens and explores patient’s personal information, thoughts and feelings (includes fears and   concerns)  • Listens and explores patient’s needs and preferences  • Acknowledges and conveys respect for patient’s information, needs, preferences (includes goals),   and feelings. (Includes patient’s expertise about his/her body. Includes patients’ explanation   of his/her illness)
PT3 – discusses information and options  • Is willing to listen and be open to ideas from the physician.    (Includes considering options.)  • Asks questions. (Includes seeking information from the physician.)  • Shares understanding of information with the physician  • Explains thinking process. (Includes transparency and honesty)	PH3 – discusses information and options  • Provides medical information; elicits questions, and adjusts information‐giving to the patient’s needs and preferences  • Bases information shared on recent literature  • Presents options, including risks and benefits  • Is honest about limits of physician’s knowledge and scientific information  • Is willing to listen and be open to ideas from the patient, family and friends  • Presents his/her opinion
PT4 – seeks information, support and advice  • Gathers support from family, friends or others  • Gathers information from sources other than this physician	PH4 – seeks information, support and advice  • Demonstrates willingness to seek and/or seeks additional information and encourages the patient to   do the same (includes complementary therapies)  • Acknowledges or seeks and respects the expertise of other professionals  • Physician seeks personal support
PT 5 – shares control/negotiates a decision  • Advocates for self within the relationship.    (Includes standing up for oneself, challenging    the physician, or making the ultimate decision.)  • Accepts risk or uncertainty  • Negotiates/agrees to disagree	PH5 – shares control/negotiates a decision  • Acknowledges areas of agreement and disagreement  • Validates patient self‐advocacy and autonomy, or acknowledges that power is shared (includes sometimes deferring to patient’s wishes)  • Integrates patient’s feelings and preferences into a mutual decision  • Negotiates agreeable decisions and choices  • Includes patient’s family or friends in discussion  • Accepts risk or uncertainty
PT6 – acts on behalf of oneself  • Takes responsibility for acting on agreed upon plans	PH6 – acts on behalf of the patient  • Advocates for the patient (includes willingness to circumvent or adapt the system)