This up-to-date guide to communication in patient-centred medicine describes the health risks posed by a range of screening tests, procedures and treatment regimens. It discusses the growing trend for patients to become involved in their own care, particularly in the area of chronic disease, and details approaches that physicians can use to prepare patients (and themselves) for shared decision-making based on informed choices and clear, meaningful knowledge. Family medicine and internal medicine physicians will find this book a valuable resource for communicating with patients. In addition, this book discusses several common and important situations where poor decision-making makes overtreatment a serious risk. Among the topics covered are.
- Involving the patient in decision-making.
- Towards a universal decision aid.
- BRCT: Benefits/Risks Characterisation Theatre.
- Breast cancer screening - Mammograms.
- Prostate cancer screening.
- Colon cancer screening with colonoscopy.
- Dementia screening and treatment.
- Cholesterol and coronary heart disease.