Realistic Medicine puts you at the centre of decisions made about your care.
It encourages your healthcare professionals to:
- find out what matters most to you
- treat you as an equal partner
- share decisions about your treatment options so that you’re supported to make an informed choice about what’s right for you.
Realistic Medicine recognises that a one size fits all approach to health and social care is not the most effective path for you or the NHS.
Realistic Medicine isn’t just about doctors. ‘Medicine’ includes all healthcare professionals who use their skills and knowledge to help people maintain health and to prevent and treat illness. This includes professions like nursing, pharmacists, physiotherapists and social workers.
How does Realistic Medicine affect me?
Realistic Medicine encourages shared decision making about your care. It’s also about moving away from a “doctor knows best” culture. This means your doctor or health professional should understand what matters to you.
We encourage you to ask questions about your condition and your treatment and care options. It’s ok for you to ask your healthcare professionals the BRAN questions:
- What are the Benefits?
- What are the Risks?
- What are the Alternatives?
- What would happen if I did Nothing?
By asking these questions you will be able to make an informed choice about the
treatment and care that’s right for you.
By practising Realistic Medicine we can provide care that people really value. We can also help to deliver a more sustainable health and care system.
More information is available on the national Realistic Medicine website.
Want to share a story about your care?
Care opinion is an independent story where you are share stories about your Care, What was good? What could be better? They make it safe and simple for people to share honest feedback about their care.
Share your story at careopinion.org.uk