Patient Decision Aids
Decision aids are patient-based tools developed to support and streamline the medical decision-making process. Randomized clinical trials have shown that the use of decision aids improves decision quality.
Decision aids should include evidence-based information about all viable treatment options, a balanced value-neutral presentation of the advantages and disadvantages of each option, and information related to the patient perspective to help patients clarify their preferences and values about treatment.
Decision aids can be paper-based or electronic; electronic decision aids can be delivered through a variety of technology, including Internet, office-based kiosk, or recorded media.
Patients
If your health plan, health care provider or employer is a Health
Dialog member, you may access the Shared Decision-Making
programs through that process. If not, you may request a review
copy from the Foundation. We ask that you complete a patient
rating questionnaire and return both the questionnaire and the
program to the Foundation. To request a program please complete the Patient Decision Aid Request Form.
Researchers
If you are researcher interested in learning more about the Foundation's funding programs, please visit Information for Investigators.
If you are interested in learning how to purchase a Shared Decision-Making program, please call Health Dialog at 800-276-0993.
Shared Decision-Making Programs
The Foundation develops decision aids by combining systematic reviews of the science and evidence about a condition and its treatment with information gleaned from focus groups and interviews about patient perspectives and preferences. These professional state-of-the-art Shared Decision-Making® programs (DVDs or VHS with booklet) include unbiased, up-to-date scientific information along with the voice of real patients explaining their decisions based on individual preferences and values.
For more information about how the Foundation creates patient decision aids, click here.
By providing this distinctive framing of information, patients are placed at the center of the health care decisions they face, fostering a more effective and efficient dialogue with their health care providers.
Back Care Programs
Acute Lower Back Pain: Managing Your Pain Through Self Care
Clinical Content Manager: Colin Nelson
Spinal Stenosis: Treating Low Back and Leg Symptoms
Clinical Content Manager: Colin Nelson
Herniated Disc: Choosing the Right Treatment for You
Clinical Content Manager: Molly Beinfeld, MPH
Chronic Low Back Pain: Managing Your Pain and Your Life
Clinical Content Manager: Colin Nelson
Breast Cancer Programs
Early Stage Breast Cancer: Choosing Your Surgery
Clinical Content Manager: Julie Beauregard, MLIS
Early Breast Cancer: Hormone Therapy and Chemotherapy - Are They Right for You?
Clinical Content Managers: Catherine Finn, MSW, LCSW, and
Jennifer Layne, PhD
Breast Reconstruction: Is It Right for You?
Clinical Content Manager: Julie Beauregard, MLIS
Ductal Carcinoma in situ : Choosing Your Treatment
Clinical Content Manager: Julie Beauregard, MLIS
Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer: Making the Journey Your Own
Clinical Content Manager: Catherine Finn, MSW, LCSW
Chronic Conditions
Living Better with Chronic Pain
Clinical Content Manager: Julie Beauregard, MLIS
Living with Diabetes: Making Lifestyle Changes to Last a Lifetime
Clinical Content Manager: Jennifer Layne, PhD
Living with Diabetes: Making Lifestyle Changes to Last a Lifetime (Spanish Translation)
Clinical Content Manager: Jennifer Layne, PhD
Translation Project Manager: Ruth Lipman, PhD
End of Life Decisions
Looking Ahead: Choices for Medical Care When You’re Seriously Ill
Clinical Content Manager: Catherine Finn, MSW, LCSW
Peace of Mind: Personal Stories about Advanced Directives
Clinical Content Manager: Catherine Finn, MSW, LCSW
Heart Disease Programs
Treatment Choices for Coronary Artery Disease
Clinical Content Manager: Chad Parmet
Living with Coronary Heart Disease
Clinical Content Manager: Chad Parmet
Living with Heart Failure: Helping Your Heart Day-to-Day
Clinical Content Manager: Ruth Lipman, PhD
Heart Tests: Learning About Your Choices (Booklet only)
Clinical Content Manager: Ruth Lipman, PhD
Mental Health Programs
Coping with Symptoms of Depression
Clinical Content Manager: Catherine Finn, MSW, LCSW
Orthopedic Programs
Treatment Choices for Hip Osteoarthritis
Clinical Content Manager: Colin Nelson
Treatment Choices for Knee Osteoarthritis
Clinical Content Manager: Colin Nelson
Protecting Your Bones: Preventing Another Fracture (Booklet only)
Clinical Content Manager: Ruth Lipman, PhD
Prostate Programs
Treatment Choices for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Clinical Content Manager: Ruth Lipman, PhD
Treatment Choices for Prostate Cancer
Clinical Content Manager: Ruth Lipman, PhD
Is a PSA Test Right for You?
Clinical Content Manager: Ruth Lipman, PhD
Is a PSA Test Right for You? (Spanish Translation)
Clinical Content Manager and Translation Project Manager: Ruth Lipman, PhD
Hormone Therapy: When the PSA Rises After Prostate Cancer Treatment
Clinical Content Manager: Molly Beinfeld, MPH
Screening Programs
Is a PSA Test Right for You?
Clinical Content Manager: Ruth Lipman, PhD
Is a PSA Test Right for You? (Spanish Translation)
Clinical Content Manager and Translation Project Manager: Ruth Lipman, PhD
Colon Cancer Screening: Deciding What’s Right for You
Clinical Content Manager: Molly Beinfeld, MPH
Women's Health Programs
Treatment Choices for Uterine Fibroids
Clinical Content Manager: Molly Beinfeld, MPH
Treatment Choices for Abnormal Bleeding
Clinical Content Manager: Molly Beinfeld, MPH
Managing Menopause: Choosing Treatments for Menopause Symptoms
Clinical Content Manager: Julie Beauregard, MLIS
Other
Getting the Healthcare That’s Right for You
Clinical Content Manager: Molly Beinfeld, MPH
Growing Older, Staying Well
Clinical Content Manager: Jennifer Layne, PhD
Sleeping Better: Help for Long-Term Insomnia
Clinical Content Manager: Catherine Finn, MSW, LCSW
Treatment Choices for Carotid Artery Disease
Clinical Content Manager: Colin Nelson
Weight Loss Surgery: Is it right for you?
Clinical Content Manager: Ruth Lipman, PhD