Patient decision aids are tools that help people become involved in decision making by providing information about the options and outcomes of a treatment and by clarifying personal values. They are designed to complement, rather than replace, counseling from a health practitioner.  This evidence-based tool prepares consumers to participate in decision-making by:

• providing evidence-based information about a treatment option including benefits, harms, probabilities, and scientific uncertainties;

• helping people clarify the value they place on the benefits, harms, and scientific uncertainties by describing the options and asking people which benefits and harms matter most to them and

• providing structured guidance in the steps of decision-making and communication of their informed values with others involved (e.g., their health care provider or family).

The Musculoskeletal Group has developed the following decision aids using evidence from Cochrane systematic reviews, in collaboration with The Patient Decision Aids Research Group.

Osteoarthritis

• What are my options for managing hip or knee arthritis?

• Should I use TENS (transcutaneous electrostimulation) for osteoarthritis?

• Should I have ultrasound for osteoarthritis?

Osteoporosis

• Should I take alendronate (Fosamax®)to prevent fractures?

• Should I take etidronate (Didronel®)to prevent fractures?

• Should I take risedronate (Actonel®)to prevent fractures?

Rheumatoid arthritis

• Should I take abatacept (Orencia®)for rheumatoid arthritis?

• Should I take etanercept (Enbrel®) for rheumatoid arthritis?

• Should I take tocilizumab (Actemra®)for rheumatoid arthritis? 

• Should I take methotrexate (Rheumatrex®)for rheumatoid arthritis?

• Should I take methotrexate (Rheumatrex®)for rheumatoid arthritis alone or with other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS)?