This article discusses the value and application of concordance across nursing, and is aimed at clinical settings and patient groups where concordance may have been viewed as impractical. The author harnesses Cribb and Entwhistle's broader conception of shared decision making and the notion of decision-making capacity as a continuum to argue that concordance can be pursued effectively in challenging settings such as childcare practice, mental health and the care of older people. The discussion is not limited to medicines management but remains engaged with all aspects of nursing practice. Legal and ethical frameworks, social participation theory and research across healthcare practice are sourced to argue for concordant approaches in the care of patients who may at times have compromised decision-making capacity. Ideas of direct and indirect concordance are explored.

John McKinnon - Senior Lecturer in Nursing, School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln