Patient decision aids improve patient safety and reduce medical liability risk (January 2022)

Summary

It is important that patients understand the risks, benefits and alternatives associated with their treatment, but there is often a gap in patients' actual understanding of these issues. There is now substantial evidence showing that patient decision aids (PDAs) and shared decision making can bridge the gap between the theory and practice of informed consent. However, in spite of the evidence, PDAs are still rarely used in clinical settings. This article in the journal Maine Law Review looks at how the monetary incentive of a professional liability insurance premium reduction could encourage doctors in the USA to increase the use of PDAs.