GSD research

Why do we need GSD?

Self-directed or shared decision making between people and advisors, healthcare professionals or mentors is considered necessary for client empowerment.

Yet, often clients might not be interested in letting, or being inclined to let, professionals gain insight into their decisions because they are used to a compliance approach (i.e. being told what to do). 

Some might also have unrealistic expectations a about advisor’s ability to know what is best for them, whereas others are likely to have reduced expectations of being listened to.

How to improve communication?

The GSD method focuses on the following four strategies:

1.      Replace a disease-oriented approach with a combined issue-life approach

2.      Use precise invitations in communication to reduce the time needed for agreeing on difficulties not yet being successfully managed

3.      Reflect on these difficulties and move to situational reflection at a mutual level to achieve a shared understanding of the patient’s decision making

4.      Challenge people to adopt independent reflection as a way of clarifying values and reconsidering the foundation for their decision making.

Invite the owner of the problem to participate in the decision making and problem solving,
instead of just asking them to comply with decisions made by professionals.

The GSD method explained in three pictures

 GSD in the media

The above article appeared in Inspire Magazine. Click here to read the full issue.

 GSD at conferences

Professor Bodil Rasmussen explains the difference between GSD and Motivational Interviewing

  Selected GSD research publications from our team

Person‐specific evidence has the ability to mobilize relational capacity: A four‐step grounded theory developed in people with long‐term health conditions
V Zoffmann, R Jørgensen, M Graue, S N Biener, A L Brorsson, C H Christiansen, M Due-Christensen, H Enggaard, J Finderup, J Haas, G R Husted, M TJohansen, K L Kanne, B-C H Kolltveit, K W Krogslund, S S Lie, A O Lindholm, E H. S. Marqvorsen, A S Mathiesen, M L Olesen, BRasmussen, M J Rothmann, S M Simonsen, S H S Tackie, L B Thisted, T M Tran, J Weis, M Kirkevold
2023, Vol 30, Issue 3, Nursing Inquiry

Feasibility and acceptability of an online guided self-determination program to improve diabetes self-management in young adults
B Rasmussen, K Wynter, P S Hamblin, C Rodda, C Steele, S Holton, V Zoffmann, J Currey
2023, Vol 9:, pp 1–10 Digital Health, London, Eng., C1

Self-determination theory interventions versus usual care in people with diabetes: a protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis
A Mathiesen, M Rothmann, V Zoffmann, J Jakobsen, C Gluud, J Lindschou, M Due-Christensen, B Rasmussen, E Marqvorsen, T Thomsen
2021, Vol. 10, Systematic Reviews, C1

A mHealth support program for Australian young adults with Type 1 diabetes: a mixed methods study
A Ng, T Crowe, K Ball, B Rasmussen
2019, Vol. 5, pp. 1-10, Digital Health, London, Eng., C1

An online self-management intervention for young adults with type 1 diabetes: Guided Self-Determination program
B Rasmussen, J Currey, T Dunning, B Haig, V Zoffmann
2017, 20 (3) Australian Diabetes Educator

Realizing empowerment in difficult diabetes care: a guided self-determination intervention
V Zoffmann, M. Kirkevold
2012, 22(1): 103-118, Qualitative Health Research