Shared medical decision making: A new tool for preventive medicine

Abstract

T he development of methods for shared medical decision-making is recognized by many groups as an important priority.1–7 A search of PUBMED under the heading of “shared decision” now produces about 100 hits per year. This issue of the Journal includes two important reports evaluating the potential of shared decision-making in preventive medicine. Sheridan et al.8 offer a commentary on the relationship between shared decision-making and recommendations offered by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Briss et al.,9 representing the Task Force on Community Preventive Services, reviewed shared decision-making and informed decision-making in relation to cancer screening. Both papers provide excellent reviews of the issues, the barriers to use of shared and informed decision-making, and proposals for future research. The Briss article also offers a systematic review of completed studies on informed or shared decision-making relevant to cancer screening.