In The News

Too often, patients are forced to navigate the fragmented healthcare system on their own. Patients and their families make care decisions when they are not fully aware of treatment options, or when their personal preferences have not been considered. Many patients struggle to comprehend information they receive from their doctor and synthesize it within larger care decisions.

Patients who play an active role in their healthcare are critical to stronger outcomes and lower costs. Patients who make informed decisions with their doctors are likely to opt for less invasive treatment options by 21 to 44 percent.¹ To get there, patients need easy access to culturally and linguistically appropriate information so they can work with their doctor to make the best possible decisions.

¹ _{O’Connor AM, Llewellyn-Thomas HA, Flood AB, Modifying unwarranted variations in healthcare: shared decision making using patient decision aids, Health Aff, 2004, Suppl Web Exclusive:VAR63-72.}