Articles related to SHARED DECISION-MAKING

An expert commentary argues that persistent physical symptoms should be approached through a balanced framework that validates patient suffering, excludes dangerous medical illness, and incorporates evidence-informed understanding of brain-body mechanisms without dismissing symptoms as psychological.

National Cancer Database data suggest that approximately half of prostate cancer focal therapy use from 2010 to 2023 occurred outside current guideline-supported settings, highlighting persistent gaps between clinical practice and available evidence.

The death of a 26-year-old woman diagnosed with metastatic cholangiocarcinoma at age 23 highlights challenges surrounding cancer recognition in younger adults, patient engagement through social media, and communication when treatment options become limited.

The American Gastroenterological Association issued nine best practice statements on colorectal and esophageal surveillance in older adults. Recommendations emphasize individualized decisions, life expectancy, treatment candidacy, procedural risks, and patient preferences.

A primary care physician describes combining nutrition counseling, individualized monitoring, and pharmacotherapy in obesity care. The interview offers a practice philosophy rather than comparative evidence supporting one treatment strategy.

Discontinuing statins in adults 75 years and older without prior cardiovascular disease did not increase mortality or major cardiovascular events over three years in a randomized trial. LDL cholesterol rose substantially after discontinuation, and longer-term effects remain uncertain.