Australia RACGP Standards for General Practices (5th edition) C1.3: Informed patient decisions: patients are told the purpose, importance, benefits and risks of proposed investigations, referrals and treatments, and are given information that helps them understand their diagnosis and manage their condition

What does C1.3 require?

Shared decision making depends on the patient knowing what is proposed and why. Before an investigation, referral or treatment the clinician explains what it is for, how important it is, the benefits expected and the risks involved, including the option of doing nothing, and checks understanding. Patients also receive information that supports their diagnosis, treatment and self-management, in a form they can use, for example written material, reputable websites or community resources. Significant discussions and the patient's decision are noted in the record.