[Shared decision making as a chance of implementing disease management programs]

Since June 2002 disease management programmes have been legally established in Germany. The law demands the patients' active involvement in decision making. First, the present paper will point out that the legal intentions are in accordance with the concept of shared decision making. Second, we will discuss how patients and physicians may be prepared to implement this model within the scope of disease management programmes. For example, knowledge and practical skills in the field of shared decision making should be taught within legally required courses for patients and physicians. In the administrative field shared decision making could be embodied into clinical practice guidelines.