Ideas
Concerns
Expectations
Feelings
Effects
Medical misdiagnosis versus preference misdiagnosis
Doctors believe that 71% of patients with breast cancer rate keeping their breast as a top priority, but the figure reported by patients is just 7%
Doctors believe that 96% of breast cancer patients considering chemotherapy rate living as long as possible a top priority, while the figure reported by patients is 59%
Once patients become well informed, however, they frequently change their decisions:
A randomised trial of a decision aid for coronary heart disease in Toronto showed a relative reduction in preference for surgical treatment of more than 20% (an absolute reduction from 75% to 58%) for patients with stable angina
Listen to and address any health beliefs, concerns and preferences that the patient has, and be aware that these affect how and whether they engage with treatment (NICE)