Take control of depression treatment with I-SHARED. Data, experience and privacy come together in a practical decision aid for patient and clinician.
In brief
- I-SHARED is a digital decision aid that lets patient and clinician choose the most suitable depression treatment together.
- The tool combines a data-driven prediction model from the UMCG with the patient's symptoms, treatment history and preferences.
- The decision aid was developed through co-creation with patients and clinicians and studied in a mixed-methods study.
- Researchable delivered the secure data collection, the integration of the prediction model and clear reports for patient and care provider.
Deciding together on depression care: technology that genuinely helps
Imagine that, as a patient with depression, you could see which treatment suits you best, based on the experiences of thousands of others. That is exactly the core of a new research publication that Researchable is proud to have contributed to. It concerns the Instrument for Shared Decision-Making in Depression, or I-SHARED for short.
On 21 July 2025, our contribution appeared in the Journal of Participatory Medicine, under the title “Development of a Cocreated Decision Aid for Patients With Depression: Combining Data-Driven Prediction With Patients’ and Clinicians’ Needs and Perspectives”. A mouthful, but the essence is clear: we developed a clinical decision support tool that helps patients and clinicians choose the right depression treatment.
The strength of I-SHARED: objective insight, personal choice
I-SHARED brings together diverse data: information about symptoms, the patient's history and personal preferences. All this data is bundled into a clear digital report that presents suitable treatment options. What makes the tool distinctive is that it strengthens the conversation between patient and clinician with objective insight, without taking over control.
You could say that technology here serves as a reliable guide, not a steering hand. It supports the care process with information that goes beyond the personal conversation alone, while at the same time respecting the patient's autonomy.
How does it work?
- The tool collects data securely and brings together information about symptoms, earlier treatments and personal preferences.
- This data is intelligently linked to the UMCG prediction model, so that the insights genuinely come together.
- The result is a clear report with treatment options, fully tailored to the patient's situation.
The tool does not take over the conversation, but adds objective facts to the conversation between patient and clinician. People keep control over their treatment, supported by data that is demonstrably relevant to the group it is intended for. In this way, shared decision-making in care is strengthened with insight from real-world experience, without losing sight of personal wishes.
Researchable's role: turning data into usable tools
Within this complex research project, Researchable was responsible for the technical infrastructure. We made sure that:
- Data could be collected securely and easily: information about the start and course of treatment had to be brought together reliably.
- Predictive models were integrated: we combined this information with a prediction model from the UMCG, which helps determine which treatment is most effective for a specific patient.
- Clear reports were generated: based on all these insights, we created clear reports for both the patient and the care provider.
This is exactly why we do what we do at Researchable: develop technology that does not replace the human connection in care, but strengthens it. I-SHARED supports decisions with AI and does not make the human element disappear, but strengthens it.
Frank Blaauw, CEO Researchable
What this means for you and for care
The result is a tool that helps patients and clinicians make well-considered choices together, based on two pillars: what is proven to work for people like you, and what fits your personal situation and preferences. We call this person-centred care, and it is essential for effective treatment.
At Researchable, we strongly believe in the power of data to improve care. This project shows how we turn complex data into practical, usable solutions and make complex subjects accessible, so that patient and care provider can make the best decisions together.
Frequently asked questions
What is I-SHARED?
I-SHARED is a digital decision aid for shared decision-making in the treatment of depression. The tool helps patient and clinician choose the treatment that best fits the patient's situation together.
How does the decision aid work in depression treatment?
The decision aid collects data on the patient's symptoms, treatment history and preferences and combines it with a prediction model from the UMCG. Based on that, the tool presents suitable treatment options in a clear report, without taking over control.
What role did Researchable play in I-SHARED?
Researchable delivered the secure data collection, the integration of the UMCG prediction model and the generation of clear reports for both patient and care provider.
How was the decision aid developed?
The decision aid was developed through co-creation with patients and clinicians and studied in a mixed-methods study. The results were published in the Journal of Participatory Medicine.
Does the decision aid replace contact with the clinician?
No. The tool strengthens the human connection in care rather than replacing it. The decision aid supports the conversation between patient and clinician and leaves control with them.
