Jayadev C, Khan T, Coulter A, Beard DJ, Price A. Patient decision aids in knee replacement surgery. The Knee. 2012 Mar 5;(in press corrected proof).
This article discusses the use of patient decision aids in routine clinical practice for patients considering knee replacement surgery. The decision surrounding a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis is an example of a preference-sensitive decision, meaning there is more than one viable option. Unfortunately, when patients are not fully informed, they are often unsatisfied with the outcome due to unrealistic expectations and a lack of understanding of the potential benefits and harms. The authors describe how implementation of patient decision aids, to support a shared decision making process, may address these issues and improve patient satisfaction, specifically in the context of knee replacement surgery.
