This review of existing research identified that for people from minority ethnic groups, family members and community stakeholders may be important in making decisions about healthcare. This needs to be accounted for when promoting shared decision-making.

Reviewers from the US assessed the extent of shared decision-making about cancer treatment among people from minority ethnic groups. Four bibliographic databases were searched.

The literature identified five major themes: decision-making about treatment, patient factors, family and important others, community and provider factors. The evidence suggested that healthcare decision-making is not done in isolation and that instead it is important to take account of the context of the family and community, particularly when supporting minority ethnic groups.

The reviewers recommended extending models of shared decision-making beyond the traditional patient-professional dyad to include other important stakeholders, such as family members and community leaders.