Barry, M.J., & Edgman-Levitan, S. (2012). Shared Decision Making — The Pinnacle of Patient-Centered Care. The New England Journal of Medicine, 366. Retrieved from http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1109283.

This article looks at how advances in healthcare have impacted the delivery of care. It talks about the history of the term “patient-centered care” and the intended meaning of the term. The authors review the importance of including patients in the decision-making process. Additionally, they examine scenarios where, despite patient preference, there may be a superior method of care that should be chosen. Finally, the author’s argue that by including patients in the care process, clinicians will be able to become more considerate of and responsive to patient needs, and thereby become better healthcare practitioners.