[Shared decision making--from a model project towards implementation]

The model study "Shared Decision Making in the Treatment of Schizophrenia" has indicated both the positive prospects of increased patient involvement in treatment decisions and the potential barriers to subsequent implementation of this model in routine care. Thus an expert panel consisting of patients and professionals within the scope of the research program "Der Patient als Partner im medizinischen Entscheidungsprozess" [The Patient as a Partner in Clinical Decision Making] sponsored by the German Ministry of Health concluded that approaches to changing the physicians' behaviour alone will be insufficient to implement shared decision making. Rather, there is an urgent need to encourage and empower patients to claim their rights to information and participation.