Resources and Tools

Frameworks for Shared Decision-Making
Three Talk Model (Elwyn et al., 2017).

Frameworks for Shared Decision-Making
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Patient Decision Aids (O’Connor, Stacey, & Boland, 2015).

Frameworks for Shared Decision-Making
ARHQ SHARE Approach Curriculum Tools (AHRQ, 2017).

Frameworks for Shared Decision-Making
BRAIN Model (Less is More Medicine, 2016) - Worksheet.

Frameworks for Shared Decision-Making
BRAIN Model (Less is More Medicine, 2016) - Blog.

Frameworks for Effective Communication
Five-step Patient Interviewing (Smith, 2002).

Frameworks for Effective Communication
LEARN Communication Model (Berlin & Fowkes, 1983).

Roadmap of Labor: A Framework for Teaching About Normal Labor
Penny Simkin's Roadmap of Labor is a patient education tool that can be used to aid in decision making about care during labor.

Gerber Memorial Birth Plan
A template for clients to use to develop a birth plan. This can then be used by the health care team to discuss plans and support a women's choices. Created by Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial Hospital.

Gerber Memorial Epidural Education Form
Epidural anesthesia consent form developed by Gerber Hospital that lists in detail expected results, technique, potential risks and other considerations for a woman deciding on pain management methods during labor.

Visual Aids for Labor and Birthing Positions
This website offers visual examples of positions to promote comfort in labor. Created by The Royal College of Midwives, London, England.

Comfort in Labor: How You can Help Yourself to a Normal Satisfying Childbirth (Simkin, 2007).


Labor Comfort and Pain Decision-making Tool (Dalrymple, 2013).
This tool is one option for clients to examine their values and preferences around key labor and comfort measures, related to level of intervention/risk and effectiveness on progress of labor related to mother and to baby.

Groopman–Spectrum's Decision-making Tool (Groopman and Hartzband, 2011).
This tool can be used to increase emphasis on clarifying parent's values and beliefs (much like what the LEARN model exemplifies) and decreases emphasis on "choices being equal options". This tool also teaches the difference in care practices among global, local, and personal perspectives around medical interventions. It is a highly effective tool in understanding one's biases and preferences, from a client, as well as a caregiver perspective. (Groopman and Hartzband, 2011, Your Medical Mind: how to Decide What is Right For You).

Groopman–Spectrum's Decision-making Tool (Groopman and Hartzband, 2011).
This tool can be used to increase emphasis on clarifying parent's values and beliefs (much like what the LEARN model exemplifies) and decreases emphasis on "choices being equal options". This tool also teaches the difference in care practices among global, local, and personal perspectives around medical interventions. It is a highly effective tool in understanding one's biases and preferences, from a client, as well as a caregiver perspective. (Groopman and Hartzband, 2011, Your Medical Mind: how to Decide What is Right For You).

Quality Patient Care in L&D: A Call to Action


Transforming Communication and Safety Culture in Intrapartum Care: A Multi-Organization Blueprint

Childbirth Connection: Making Informed Decisions (Childbirth Connection, 2018).


Preferences for Labor and Birth: A Plan to Guide Decision Making and Inform My Care Team.
This "birth plan" used by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) can be utilized by women to think through their options and share their preferences with their providers.

Should I Try Vaginal Birth After a Past C-Section (VBAC)?
This decision aid, developed by Healthwise Staff, walks women through the decision to try for a VBAC or to schedule a repeat cesarean.

Should I Have an Epidural During Childbirth?
This decision aid, developed by Healthwise Staff, walks women through the decision to have or not have an epidural during labor.

The University of Sydney, Pain Relief for Labour
This booklet, designed by the University of Sydney, helps women make informed decisions about comfort and coping during labor.

Centre for Perinatal Health Services Research ECV Decision Aid Project Steering Committee


Ottawa Personal Decision Guide


Lamaze International For Parents
Lamaze International shares a number of infographics for patients to improve shared decision making and informed choices.

Our Moment of Truth, Share with Women handouts


Introduction
Were you ever in a medical/health situation in which you felt that your input was not taken into consideration? How did that make you feel? Understanding your options and why you are an equal partner in decision-making regarding your care is an important first step toward physiologic birth.