Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making

Since 1989, the Foundation has produced programs with the information that patients need in order to make an informed decision. These programs help patients clarify their values, understand the importance of their preferences in making good medical decisions and work in partnership with their physicians to make shared medical decisions.

Present the latest clinical evidence about the risks and benefits of treatment options in ways patients can understand

Explain why there is sometimes a lack of evidence to support one option over another

Include interviews with patients who have undergone treatments and experienced good and bad outcomes, illustrating the variety of patient perspectives and concerns

Focus on helping patients engage in high-quality decision making with their doctors

Support patients in carrying out their choices with confidence and competence

The programs offer a balanced presentation of each option, from both clinical and patient experience perspectives. The goal is never to encourage any one treatment approach over the others, but rather to explain fairly and clearly the pros and cons of each option - and let patients, working with their doctors, decide which is best for them.

Program Development and Updates

The Foundation collaborates with a network of clinical researchers and practicing physicians. The key focus of the collaboration is the synthesis of clinical evidence and relevant patient perspectives. Clinical researchers work with Foundation staff to develop and maintain evidence summaries that provide overviews of the best available clinical evidence for each program. They also review key decisions from the patients' point of view, resulting from extensive focus group work involving both patients and providers.

Program reviews are scheduled semi-annually. Expert clinical advisors review programs to ensure that they are up to date and reflect current clinical practice. Updates may occur at any time if warranted by advancements in clinical knowledge.

The Foundation supports the integration of these programs in clinical practices throughout the U.S. as part of its research initiative. To learn more about Health Care Providers integrating Shared Decision Making Programs in clinical practice click here.

Shared Decision-Making^® Programs

End of Life Programs
Peace of Mind: Personal Stories about Advance Directives
Current Version: POM001 v.02

Heart Disease Programs
Treatment Choices for Coronary Artery Disease
Current Version: CAD001 v.02

Living with Coronary Artery Disease: Doing Your Part
Current Version: CAD002 v.02

Living with Heart Failure: Helping Your Heart Day-to-Day
Current Version: CHF001 v.01

Mental Health Programs
Coping with Symptoms of Depression
Current Version: DEP001 v.01

Orthopedic Programs
Treatment Choices for Hip Osteoarthritis
Current Version: HIP001 v.01

Treatment Choices for Knee Osteoarthritis
Current Version: KOA001 v.02

Prostate Programs
Treatment Choices for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Current Version: BPH001 v.02

Treatment Choices for Prostate Cancer
Current Version: PCA001 v.02

Is a PSA Test Right for You?
Current Version: PSA001 v.03

Hormone Therapy: When the PSA Rises After Prostate Cancer Treatment
Current Version: PCHT001 v.01

Screening Programs

Is a PSA Test Right for You?
Current Version: PSA001 v.03

Colon Cancer Screening: Deciding What’s Right for You
Current Version: CRC001 v.01

Women’s Health Programs
Ovarian Cancer: Reducing Your Risks
Current Version: OCA001 v.03

Treatment Choices for Uterine Fibroids
Current Version: BUCF001 v.03

Treatment Choices for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Current Version: BUCA001 v.03

Managing Menopause: Choosing Treatments for Menopause Symptoms
Current Version: MEN001 v.02

Breast Cancer Programs
Early Stage Breast Cancer: Choosing Your Surgery
Current Version: BCS001 v.03

Early Breast Cancer: Hormone Therapy and Chemotherapy - Are They Right for You?
Current Version: BCA001 v.03

Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer: Making the Journey Your Own
Current Version: BCM001 v.01

Back Care Programs
Acute Lower Back Pain: Managing your pain through self care
Current Version: ALBP001 v.01

Treatment Choices for Low Back Pain: Spinal Stenosis
Current Version: SST001 v.03

Treatment Choices for Low Back Pain: Herniated Disc
Current Version: HDC001 v.03

Chronic Low Back Pain: Managing Your Pain and Your Life
Current Version: CLBP001 v.01

Other
Weight Loss Surgery: Is it right for you?
Current Version: WLS001 v.01