What are the essential elements to enable patient participation in medical decision making? J Gen Intern Med 2007;22(5):6149

sion making (SDM) results in increased patient knowl-edge, adherence, and improved outcomes. Despite the benefits of the SDM model, many patients do not attain the level of participation they desire. OBJECTIVE: To gain a more complete understanding of the essential elements, or the prerequisites, critical to active patient participation in medical decision making from the patient’s perspective. DESIGN: Qualitative study. SETTING: Individual, in-depth patient interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was reached. Two analysts independently read the transcripts and jointly developed a list of codes. PATIENTS: Twenty-six consecutive subjects drawn from community dwelling subjects undergoing bon