Smart Decisions About Other Health Issues

See a list of Decision Points about treatments and other issues. Decision Points are designed to guide you through key health decisions, combining medical information with your personal values to make a wise health decision.

Every solution to a health issue has benefits and risks. Only you can decide if the benefits are worth the risks.

Learn the facts

• What is the solution? Get a description of the solution.
• Why does your doctor think you need to try this solution?
• Are there other options besides this particular solution?
• Is this solution the common treatment for this problem? Are there other solutions to this health issue?

Use this treatment information form(What is a PDF document?) to help you.

Consider the risks and benefits

• How does your doctor think this solution will work for you?
• What is the success rate? What does success mean to your doctor? What does success mean to you?
• What can go wrong? How often does this happen?

Ask about costs

• How much does the solution cost? How can you find out?
• Are there other costs to the solution, such as equipment or therapy?

Talk to your doctor

• How much does the problem really bother you?
• What are your concerns about the solution?
• Do you prefer to try the solution or another way of treating the problem?