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Realistic Medicine is an approach to healthcare that aims to put the patient at the centre of decisions made about their care. It also aims to reduce harm, waste and unwarranted variation, whilst acknowledging and managing the inherent risks associated with all healthcare, and championing innovation and improvement.

What is Realistic Medicine?
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Realistic Medicine is an approach to healthcare that aims to put the patient at the centre of decisions made about their care. Shared decision making and a personalised approach to care are key elements of practising Realistic Medicine. It also aims to reduce harm, waste and unwarranted variation, whilst acknowledging and managing the inherent risks associated with all healthcare, and championing innovation and improvement.

Realistic Medicine is relevant to all health and social care professionals, and a multi-disciplinary approach is vital to ensure that Realistic Medicine becomes standard care for people in Scotland.

Our aim is to provide you with access to learning and practice support tools to help you embed Realistic Medicine into your daily practice.

Visit the Scottish Government Realistic Medicine website to learn more.

Introducing Realistic Medicine

Watch the animation below for an overview of Realistic Medicine.

The six pillars of Realistic Medicine

Scotland has a realistic medicine strategy with 6 pillars to help us achieve this. Select each icon below to find out more about the 6 pillars.

Shared Decison Making

 

Personalised Approach to Care

 

Reduce Harm and Waste

 

Reduce Unwarranted Variation

Manage Risk Better

Become Improvers and Innovators

Links to helpful tools and resources

Chief Medical Officer report

The most recent annual Realistic Medicine CMO report,  Realistic Medicine: Taking Care: Chief Medical Officer for Scotland Annual Report 2023-2024 is available. This report outlines the key priorities for Realistic Medicine along with examples of incorporating Realistic Medicine into practice.

Right Decision Service website and apps

The Right Decision Service website provides two toolkits:

Realistic Medicine: A National Toolkit for Professionals is a web and mobile app providing access to Realistic Medicine tools and resources for use in direct patient care, and to educational resources to develop practitioners' knowledge and skills in Realistic Medicine.

Being a Partner in my Care: Realistic Medicine Together is a web and mobile app that enables patients and professionals to work together to make shared decisions about care, putting what matters to you at the centre of your care and understanding the benefits of Realistic Medicine.

You can download the apps through the site or on your phone via the Right Decisions for Health and Care app which is available for iPhone or Android. 

 

 

Updated 22 November 2024