Informing , communicating and sharing decisions with people who have cancer

There is widespread agreement that people should be informed about health care options and involved in decisions about their own care. In England and Wales the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is intent on achieving a patient focus in its work and The NHS plan emphasises the need for patients to have more say in their own care and more influence over the way in which the NHS works. Similarly, The NHS cancer plan for England and Wales emphasises the need for good communication between health professionals and patients, both for delivering high quality care and for empowering people to be involved in decisions about their own care. This paper summarises EVective Health Care bulletin 6(6) which focused on communication, information giving, and sharing of decisions between health professionals and people with cancer. Evidence from systematic reviews produced by the Cochrane Consumers and Communication Group, other good quality systematic reviews, and from guidance produced by the National Cancer Guidance Steering Group is also included.