Learning when to involve patients in decision making.

Abstract

Active patient participation in decision making is often highlighted as desirable, despite a lack of consensus on what is meant by ‘active participation’. In the two empirical cases reviewed, investigators found patients felt that they were given only limited treatment choices. By participating in decision making, patients did not report feeling more in control of their own health. Some patients preferred to be offered the choice of not to engage in decision making, whereas others would like to be more in control. Novice health care providers need to learn that patients have different needs and preferences.