August 18, 2023 — A new American Heart Association scientific statement highlights evidence that supports shared decision-making, a term that describes the process of ensuring patients have the knowledge and tools to make decisions about their health in collaboration with their professional health care team. The statement publishes today in the American Heart Association’s flagship, peer-reviewed journal Circulation.  More than 100 trials have demonstrated that shared decision-making improves patient’s understanding, acceptance and satisfaction with their health care, yet adequate levels of shared decision-making occur in as few as 10% of face-to-face consultations across a variety of health care specialties.  The statement details the key components of shared decision-making:  clearly communicated, unbiased evidence about risks, benefits and reasonable alternatives to treatment;  clinical expertise provided in a way that is relevant to the patient; and  inclusion of the patient’s valu