Doctors argue for decision aids to promote patient engagement - by Melanie Evans - 0 views
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Frederick Smith on 29 Nov 13'...the Cochrane Collaboration reported last year that patients who used tools to guide their decisions had a better grasp of their choices and risks. They were also more likely to select less intense or invasive treatment when considering major elective surgery, though results were mixed for other decisions. The influence of decision aids on adherence to medication or overall costs was "inconclusive," according to the report. 'But that uncertainty does not reduce the ethical obligation to better inform patients, or lessen the promise of tools that help patients understand their options and identify their values, some doctors say. "It is the right thing to do," said Dr. Victor Montori, associate director of the Health Care Delivery Research Program at the Mayo Clinic Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery....'