Patients, partnership and communication

Why this matters on day one

The 2024 edition strengthened the language on kindness, respect and tackling discrimination, and made explicit that patients are partners in decisions rather than recipients of them. Montgomery already made that a legal requirement; this makes it a professional one.

What the domain requires

1. 1Kindness and respect. Treat patients with dignity and without discrimination. Ask about and use their name and pronouns. Do not let assumptions about age, weight, ethnicity, disability or background shape the differential.
2. 2Partnership in decisions. Find out what matters to the patient, present the real options including doing nothing, and support their decision even when you disagree with it.
3. 3Communicate effectively. Plain language, checked understanding, interpreters where needed, and honesty about uncertainty.
4. 4Handle information properly. Maintain confidentiality, share only what is needed, and keep clear contemporaneous records.

What evidencing it looks like

• Patient feedback from multi-source feedback.
• A documented shared decision where the patient chose differently from your recommendation.
• A consultation conducted with an interpreter.

What falls short

• Reciting risks instead of finding out what the patient cares about.
• Using a family member as an interpreter for anything sensitive.
• Diagnostic overshadowing — attributing new symptoms to an existing disability or mental illness.
• Discussing patients where they can be overheard.

Demonstrated by