Shared Decision-Making Overview

The Foundation's work is based on two premises regarding the quality of medical decisions. First, patients need to understand their options thoroughly. Second, patients need to understand why it is in their interest to participate fully in decision-making, rather than delegating decisions to their doctors. We believe that one medical answer can never be right for all people. The decision that will best serve a particular patient often depends critically on the patient's own preferences and values. And the treatment that is best for one patient may not be best for another in exactly the same situation.

When patients get sick, they sometimes face treatment decisions that can be confusing and frightening. Should I choose surgery or something less invasive? Is this procedure right for me? Should I watch and wait, and defer a decision for now? Should I have this test? What are the chances that this treatment will work for me? How will it make me feel? How will it change my life?

Doctors often make these decisions for patients, and many patients prefer that model. However, a growing body of research shows that when patients are well informed and play a significant role in deciding how they are going to treat or manage their health conditions, things work out better. Informed patients feel better about the decision process. Their decisions are more likely to match up with their preferences, values and concerns. These patients are more likely to stick with the regimens the treatment requires, and they often end up rating their health after treatment as better.