Doctors, patients at the crossroads make difficult decisions together

Ann Johansson/UCLA When Craig Mann was diagnosed with prostate cancer, UCLA’s novel shared decision-making program helped him, working closely with his physicians, to make the choices he felt were right for him. Craig Mann was bewildered enough when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer late last year. The 54-year-old Lake Forest, Calif., man is a laboratory scientist who takes good care of himself, eating healthy foods and participating in marathons and triathlons. He was certainly unprepared to hear that he had cancer. But the diagnosis was only the first blow. Mann was taken aback by the numerous and different treatment options doctors presented to him. A urologist recommended surgery. A radiation oncologist recommended radiation therapy. Each option had pros and cons. Mann’s primary-care physician suggested he consult with experts at UCLA. That’s when he encountered a novel program designed precisely for people like him who are standing at the crossroads of complex medical decisions. Before attending the consultation, Mann was advised to respond to a questionnaire to help him learn about prostate-cancer treatments and think through his choices. “That was helpful for choosing what was important to me,” Mann said. “The survival statistics are really good for this cancer. But I was most concerned about quality-of-life issues. The survey was a way to think about everything and hone in on my priorities.” Shared decision-making is a concept that’s gaining tract...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news