How You Prefer To Make Decisions and Get Information

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How You Prefer To Make Medical Decisions

Some people prefer to make their own medical decisions.
Some people prefer input from others (family, friends, medical providers) before they make a decision.
And, some people prefer other people make decisions for them.

Please note: Doctors, nurses, social workers, or anyone else on your care team cannot make decisions for you. They can only give information to help you make your own decisions.

QUESTION 1:

How do you prefer to make medical decisions?

I prefer to make medical decisions on my own without input from others.

I prefer to make medical decisions only after input from others.

I prefer to have other people make medical decisions for me.

I am not sure

If you want, you can write why you feel this way, and who you want input from.

See Why Your Medical Providers Cannot Make Decisions for You

It is important to know that your medical providers cannot make decisions for you. They can guide you, but cannot make the final decision.

This is why you or your family or friends need to know the right questions to ask your medical providers.

Click the video to learn more.

Time: 0:42

Video Transcript

Dr Garcia: Sometimes, patients want me to make all of their medical decisions for them—but I can’t. All I can do is recommend what I think is best. The final decision has to come from the patient or their family or friends.

Many decisions involve thinking about the risks and benefits. When a patient asks me about the risks and benefits of treatment, or about their other options, that can get us talking about what is most important to that patient.

Once I know how my patient feels, I can give them the best recommendation. That’s why it’s so important to have patients or their family or friends ask me questions. It’s OK to ask questions. It’s our job to answer them.

How You Prefer To Get Medical Information

Some people may want to know all medical information, such as how sick they are or how long they may have to live. This can help people make decisions.

Other people may not want to know all of their medical information. They may not want to know how sick they are or how long they may have to live.

You can ask your doctors and medical providers to tell you about your medical information.
You can also speak up and tell them if you do not want to know.

Click the video to learn more

Time: 1:02

QUESTION 2:

If you had a serious illness, would you want your doctors and medical providers to tell you how sick you are or how long you may have to live?

Yes, I would want to know this information.

I am not sure

If you want, you can write why you feel this way.