The implications of race and ethnicity for shared decision-making.

TOPIC

Shared Decision Making is an innovative health-care approach gaining ground as part of the shift toward patient-centered medicine. It involves collaboration and discussion between doctors and patients to arrive at mutually satisfying treatment decisions. It places a strong emphasis on the therapeutic alliance, empowering patients to play an active role in their own care.

PURPOSE

In this article, the author argues that research and development vis-à-vis shared decision-making must take serious account of ethno-racial status as a mediating variable. This may be a powerful determinant of broad orientations toward medical decision-making.

SOURCES USED

Medline was used to extract relevant papers which were analyzed and intertwined with the author's existing knowledge of relevant sociological and anthropological evidence and theory.

CONCLUSIONS

Specific proposals are made for a research agenda ensuring that ethno-racial issues are considered as a departure point rather than an afterthought in shared decision making model development.