[Shared decision-making becoming increasingly important].

Abstract

The paper by Kunneman and colleagues published in the Dutch Journal of Medicine (NTvG) touches upon a timely and important health care issue: shared decision-making. The study focused on the adequacy of the information given to patients by their treating radiation oncologists before undergoing preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer. The main conclusion of this study is that there is a wide variation in the quantity and quality of the information given regarding the advantages and disadvantages of this treatment. This commentary reviews the data presented and relates them to several ongoing national initiatives to improve information provision to patients and to stimulate shared decision-making.