Shared decision making seen through the lens of professional identity formation.

Abstract

The finding in the article by Driever et al.; "Shared decision,making: Physicians' preferred role, usual role and their perception of its key components" of lower preferred and practiced SDM role in residents in favour of a paternalistic role, compared to their more seasoned colleagues deserves more in depth, qualitative research. Because our residents are tomorrows doctors, I would strongly encourage the authors of this insightful article to consider research focused on residents as the next step in their research on SDM and to see this future research through a 'medical-education-PIF-lens'. The multi-level professionalism framework, designed as a framework for reflection and development in medical education might be of help is this future research.