title: [Who is the decision maker in medicine - the doctor or the patient?].
abstract: In earlier times physicians decided on their own which diagnostic tests and treatments the patient should undergo, receive and follow. At least, such physicians' behavior is described in the literature. In recent decades the pendulum moved in the other direction. Nowadays and deservedly so patients have to be actively involved in the process of decision-making. The old fashioned method of decision-making is called the paternalistic model and the modern one the participative model (shared decision making). A prerequisite for being actively involved in the decision process patients have to be informed about their health status and the consequences of different options and potential decisions. There is no plausible reason to question the values of the participative model, but patients also have a right to be not informed about things they do not want to know. Transparency is desirable, but transparency is not 'per se' a good thing only.
authors.affiliation: Horten Zentrum für praxisorientierte Forschung und Wissenstransfer, Universität Zürich.
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steurer
authors.affiliation: Horten Zentrum für praxisorientierte Forschung und Wissenstransfer, Universität Zürich.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wertli
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D010358:Patient Participation; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D013557:Switzerland; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures