Informed, involved and influential: three Is of shared decision making

Abstract

Collaboration between service users and mental health professionals is at the heart of values-based practice and shared decision making. However, there has been limited analysis of the implications of these approaches to processes that can involve depriving service users of their freedom. This article proposes a framework in which it is acknowledged that all participants must be informed, involved and influential in the decision-making process. The article notes, however, that these aims are on a sliding scale of influence that depends on context, capacity and desire to influence.