Shared decision making decision aids

What it is

Shared decision making is a process that involves two experts: the provider and the patient. The provider knows the evidence-based medical options. The patient knows his or her values and preferences.

What to do

Together, they choose a treatment, test or screen after reviewing decision aids—documents that detail the options in an unbiased manner. The process of shared decision making intends to make sure that patients are well-informed, and choose a course of care consistent with his or her values and preferences as well as the best available medical evidence.

Important: The decision aids on this website are intended to be used by a patient and provider together to make a specific decision; they do not replace medical or professional advice. Talk with your health care provider about your individual health care and decisions.

Back pain

considering your options for low back pain cover

Considering Your Options for Low Back Pain

Self-care, Chiropractic, Physical Therapy and Acupuncture

Somali

Spanish

considering your options for long term chronic low back pain cover

Considering Your Options for Long-term (Chronic) Low Back Pain

Self-care, Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, Medicine, Injection, Pain Psychology, Pain Rehabilitation, Surgery

Somali

Spanish

Birth control and childbirth

Considering Your Options For Birth Control cover

Considering Your Options for Birth Control

Natural Family Planning, Spermicides, Condoms, Sponge, The Pill, Diaphragm, Skin Patch, Vaginal Ring, Injection, Intrauterine Device, Implant, Vasectomy, Tubal Ligation

Spanish

childbirth options after cesarean

Considering Your Childbirth Options After a Cesarean

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) or Planned Cesarean Birth

considering your options for genetic counseling cover

Considering Your Options For Prenatal Genetic Testing

Screening Tests (First Trimester Screening, Second Trimester Screening, Sequential or Integrated Screening, Cell Free DNA Screening) and Diagnostic Tests (Chorionic Villus Sampling, Amniocentesis)

Breast health and cancer

breast cancer surgery options cover

Breast Cancer Surgery Options

Lumpectomy With Radiation Therapy or Mastectomy

Russian

Somali

Spanish

Care after hospitalization

Before You Leave the Hospital Planning for Your Ongoing Care cover

Before You Leave the Hospital: Planning for Your Ongoing Care

Home, home with home health services, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facility/transitional care unit, long-term care in a nursing facility, palliative care, hospice care, complex care for seniors, home hospital care, assisted living, care management

Hmong

Russian

Somali

Spanish

Chronic kidney disease

chronic kidney disease cover

Treatment Options for Chronic Kidney Disease

Transplant, Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis, Palliative Care and Hospice Care

Hmong

Russian

Somali

Spanish

Colon health and cancer

Hearing loss

Hearing Loss and Hearing Aid Options cover thumbnail

Hearing Loss and Hearing Aid Options

Options for Style and Technology

Heart

atrial fibrillation cover

Atrial Fibrillation and Options to Reduce Your Risk of Blood Clots and Stroke

Anticoagulant Medicine and Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device

Understanding Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator cover

Understanding Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)

Have the ICD Placed, Not Have the ICD Placed

Spanish

Lung cancer

considering lung cancer screening cover

Considering Lung Cancer Screening

Having the Low-dose CT Screening, Not Having the Low-dose CT Screening

Russian

Somali

Spanish

Pain management options

non opioid options for pain shared decision making

Considering Your Non-Opioid Options for Pain

Self-Care, Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Acupuncture and Pain Rehabilitation

Hmong

Russian

Somali

Spanish

Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders