How Informed Decision Making Can Improve Health Outcomes
care coordination doctorenoadvocates enpowered patients health literacy independent health advocate informed care advocacy informed decisions know your options navigating healthcare patient centered care shared decision making smart health choices May 21, 2025Picture this: You've just left the doctor's office. You've received a new diagnosis. You're still trying to process the words when the doctor starts talking about next steps—you'll be scheduled for additional diagnostic testing, then a referral to a specialist, and you leave the office with instructions to pick up a new medication that has been called into the local pharmacy. You agree to this plan, almost automatically.
But later, in the car, questions begin to flood your mind.
"Wait—what exactly does this diagnosis mean? What diagnostic tests are you being scheduled for? Why do you need to start this medication? Are there other options? What happens if you wait?"
If this scenario sounds familiar, you're not alone.
Many people, especially women over 50, often find themselves overwhelmed when trying to navigate today's fast-paced medical system. That's where informed decision-making comes in. In this post, we'll explore what informed decisions mean, why this is important, and how a health advocate can help you make choices that truly align with your needs and values.
What Is Informed Decision-Making?
Informed decision-making means partnering with your healthcare provider to gain a clear understanding of:
- Your condition or diagnosis.
- All available treatment options, including doing nothing for now.
- The risks, benefits, and possible side effects of any interventions or treatments.
- The impact of those decisions on your life, values, and goals.
It's not about saying "yes" or "no" right away. It's about making a decision that feels right for you, and not just what's convenient for the healthcare system.
Why Informed Decision Making Matters More Than Ever
With our often double-booked 15-minute appointment slots, it's no wonder that your time with our healthcare providers can seem rushed. So we're informed of a new diagnosis with treatment options. However, that's not enough information to truly enable us to be equal participants in the decision-making process.
When people don't understand their choices, they may:
- Agree to unnecessary tests or procedures
- Take medications they don't need (or don't tolerate well)
- Miss safer, less invasive options
- Delay asking for a second opinion—even when something doesn't feel right
According to a 2017 survey of U.S. physicians published in PLOS ONE, doctors estimated that approximately 20.6% of overall medical care is unnecessary. This includes about 24.9% of tests, 22% of prescription medications, and 11.1% of procedures. Notably, more than a quarter of surveyed physicians believed that 30% to 45% of medical care is unnecessary.
The solution? Empowering patients to ask the right questions and take an active role in their care.
What Informed Decision-Making Looks Like in Practice
Let's say you've been diagnosed with arthritis in your right knee and your doctor recommends that you see an orthopedic specialist to discuss surgery.
Informed decision-making would mean asking your doctor not only questions about the medical facts, but also how it may affect your quality of life (QoL)
- What are your non-surgical options (such as physical therapy, injections, weight management)?
- What are the outcomes and risks of surgery, short- and long-term?
- How might recovery affect your work or caregiving responsibilities?
- What's the expected benefit for someone your age and/or with health conditions?
Some Key Questions to Ask Before Any Major Decision
- What exactly is my diagnosis—and how confident are you in it?
- What are all the options, including not treating it right now?
- What are the short- and long-term risks of each option?
- What outcome are we hoping for—and how likely is it to occur?
- How will this affect my day-to-day life?
If your provider can’t answer—or brushes off your questions—it’s a red flag. You’re not being difficult. You’re being smart.
How a Health Advocate Can Help
Informed decision-making can feel overwhelming especially when faced with a life altering diagnosis. Trust me I have walked that path both as a patient receiving a diagnosis as well as a physician handing out such diagnoses to my patients.
As a health advocate, I can:
- Help you understand your diagnosis and treatment options in plain language.
- Create a list of questions for your appointments with your doctors be they your primary care physician or specialists.
- Attend appointments with you (virtually or in person) as a support.
- Review your test results or treatment plan and help you understand them.
- Help you weigh the risks, benefits, and lifestyle impact.
- Encourage you to honor the values you have expressed as important to you.
Whether it’s navigating cancer care, chronic illness, or a tough choice about surgery, advocacy gives you back a sense of control.Informed Doesn’t Mean Going it Alone
People often feel isolated when it comes to dealing with medical issues and feel that they must make decisions by themselves. Asking for support is part of being empowered.You don’t need a medical degree to make a smart health decision. You just need the right support, the right questions, and the right advocate by your side.
Final Thoughts..
Informed decision-making isn’t about being confrontational or noncompliant, it's about being able to make a decision that says “yes” to yourself.You deserve to understand what's going on with your health, to not feel rushed into making a decision. You deserve time to think about all your options (including the option of doing nothing at all).And finally you deserve care that honors all of who you are- not just your body, but your story, your fears, your goals.If you're facing a big decision—or if you just feel unsure about what’s next—I’m here to help.Book a FREE Support Strategy Session today and learn how I can help you take charge of your health decisions with clarity and confidence.
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