Communication between patients and providers and informed decision making.
Women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) need to comprehend the meaning of the diagnosis and the potential benefits and harms of treatment options. Full and understandable information is a requirement, not an option. However, with DCIS, as with many areas of medicine, a high level of uncertainty about the disease remains. In this article, we define informed medical decision making, review challenges to its implementation, and provide suggestions on how to improve communication with women about the diagnosis and treatment of DCIS.
Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104-2499, USA. jelmore@uw.edu
Joann G
JG
Elmore
Pamela S
PS
Ganschow
Berta M
BM
Geller
D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008402:Mass Media; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010358:Patient Participation; D057240:Patient Preference; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D035501:Uncertainty; D014741:Video Recording