Not a Humbug: the evolution of patient-centred medical decision-making. Issue 6 (16th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Trump, Benjamin D; Linkov, Faina; Edwards, Robert P; Linkov, Igor
• Is Part Of: Evidence-based medicine. Volume 20:Issue 6(2015)
• Page Start: 193
• Page End: 197
• Publication Date: 2015-10-16
• Subjects: PUBLIC HEALTH; Evidence-based medicine -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1136/ebmed-2015-110274
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1356-5524

Abstract

Abstract : This 'Christmas Issue'-type paper uses the framework of 'A Christmas Carol' to tell about the evolution of decision-making in evidence-based medicine (EBM). The Ghost of the Past represents paternalistic medicine, the Ghost of the Present symbolises EBM, while the Ghost of the Future serves as a patient-centred system where research data and tools of decision science are jointly used to make optimal medical decisions for individual patients. We argue that this shift towards a patient-centred approach to EBM and medical care is the next step in the evolution of medical decision-making, which would help to empower patients with the capability to make educated decisions throughout the course of their medical treatment.