Treatment decision support

Treatment decision support consists of the tools and processes used to enhance medical patients’ healthcare decision-making.

Patients are often unaware of the benefits, side-effects, costs, or other key factors about a healthcare treatment that may inform their decision.

An orthopedics patient may face a choice between aggressive lumbar spinal fusion versus physical therapy.

Treatment decision support programs allow patients to actively engage in the healthcare decision-making process by gathering and weighing information which may be personalized for their situation.

Treatment decision support may be provided by integrated health plans (e.g., Kaiser), insurers/TPAs (e.g., Optum), or independent vendors (e.g., Grand Rounds).