Patient Decision Aids for Values Clarification and Preference Elicitation - Challenges and Developments

Abstract

Patient Decision Aids for Values Clarification and Preference Elicitation - Challenges and Developments Abstract. Shared decision-making is especially appropriate when the available evidence does not indicate which medical intervention is the better option, so that the final decision depends on the patient's personal values and preferences. The process of value clarification and preference elicitation can be time-consuming and cognitively and emotionally demanding for patients. Increasingly, decision aids provide tasks (e.g., on benefit-harm trade-offs) to help patients work through this process, better prepare for medical consultations, and make values-congruent medical decisions with their physicians. Most clinically validated decision aids are paper-based flyers and educational brochures. There are also computer-, audio-, video-, or web-based decision aids. The web-based aids make little use of the potential of interactive technologies, despite the known benefits of these technologies. The aims of this paper are to provide an overview of decision aids for and challenges of values clarification and preference elicitation and to highlight some developments in interactive web-based technologies that might facilitate values clarification and preference elicitation.