1.2.g The Role of the “Third Person”

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Shared decision making often includes individuals other than just the person and provider. Family members, friends, surrogates, religious/cultural leaders, or health advocates can also be involved in the decision making process. The effects of the role of a “third person” on clinical encounters have been studied and well documented (12, 13).

They third person can:

  • Facilitate or inhibit the development and maintenance of a trusting professional relationship
  • Play multiple roles during the visit
  • Affect the duration of the encounter and/or impact the content of the interaction
  • Significantly change the basic clinical relationship, no matter how minor the involvement

 

 Journal_Icon.pngPersonal Reflection

Have you observed a clinician include a third person in the clinical care partnership? What was particularly effective  when the third person was present? What was unhelpful? How could you reconcile differences between a clinician and a third person, or enlist them in the partnership?