From Shared Decision Making to Patient Engagement in Health Care Processes: The Role of Digital Technologies

Abstract

In the past patients have mainly been passive recipients of health care services and clinicians’ advice. However, within today’s healthcare environments constellations have changed. Patients have access to a tremendous amount of information and are more confident in managing their own health and care independently. Shared decision making and patient engagement are increasingly popular approaches to respect patient sovereignty and enhance participation. The following article summarizes the influence of these developments on health care processes and outlines the crucial role of digital technologies as levers to support shared decision making and patient engagement. Despite potential benefits and widespread political commitment, empirical evidence demonstrates that supportive digital solutions only slowly diffuse into the health sector.