Part 5: Carer involvement in medical decisions

Carers can discuss medical information with you

Together, you and your carer can discuss the information about the treatment options that is provided to you by health professionals.

Carers can read any written materials you have been given and help you to understand these.

Carers can also read information on reputable websites to supplement their/your understanding of treatment options.

Carers can provide you with practical and emotional support

Carers can provide practical and emotional support as you make important treatment decisions. They can:

• Act as a sounding board for the patient to talk through different options.
• Discuss what is important to you and reflect back what you are saying, to help you to clarify your values and how they fit with different treatment options.
• Help you to work through the practical implications of different treatment options. For example, if you are concerned about getting to the hospital each day for radiation therapy, your carer may be able to help you figure out transportation.
• Let you know that they are confident in the your ability to make this decision.
• Help you to process and accept your treatment decisions.

Carers can give you advice

If you want your carer to be actively involved in coming to a decision, you could ask them to provide opinions or advice. You may like them to state their opinion about the decision or highlight issues for you to consider.

Your carer may also be able to help you to filter through the opinions of others. Sometimes, patients can have many different opinions thrown at them, which can be overwhelming. This is often the case when well-meaning friends and family want to help the patient.

It is important that your carer ultimately respects your right to make a final decision.