Virtual Center for Shared Decision-Making

“Shared decision-making” (SDM) is collaborative process between patients and their health care providers to improve the quality of medical decisions. It is particularly useful in settings in which there are multiple acceptable treatment options and decisions are “preference-sensitive” (decisions can be based the values patients place on certain outcomes). 

SDM is both a philosophy and a practical approach. As a philosophy, it involves understanding patient preferences, ensuring a rigorous education on treatment options and their consequences, acknowledging uncertainty, and integrating data and preference to reach the best management decision. As a practical approach, SDM can involve materials to educate and guide patients in their decision-making efforts, e.g. “decision-aids” that can be paper, video, interactive, or multi-media.   

Below we have included some of our preferred resources for SDM that patients can explore and utilize. There are different formats and presentations that some patients may prefer over others for the same condition. These resources may help you better weigh pros and cons of different treatment options, clarify your own preferences related to success vs. side effects, and reach the optimal decision for you. 

Conditions

The links below are various resources that you may find helpful in helping you participate in the shared decision-making process. 

Prostate Cancer

The prostate is an organ that releases fluid to support sperm found in semen. In the United States, prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men. The multidisciplinary specialists here at Herbert Irving Cancer Institute are well-equipped to provide information about this condition and its associated risk factors and treatment options, from minimally invasive surgery to novel approaches to radiation therapy to ablative therapies to active monitoring.   

Decisions on treating prostate cancer can be challenging given the functional consequences of treatment (e.g. urinary and sexual side effects) and the range of treatment options. These resources may assist you in moving forward with your decision-making. 

Bladder Cancer

The bladder is a hollow organ that serves to store urine in our bodies. Under certain circumstances, different types of bladder cancer can occur. The multidisciplinary specialists here at Herbert Irving Cancer Institute are well-equipped to provide information about this condition and its associated risk factors and treatment options. These resources may guide you in better understanding your condition and treatment options. 

Kidney Cancer

The kidney is a complex organ involved in many processes in the body, including the production of urine. Kidney cancer is often diagnosed by imaging techniques. The multidisciplinary specialists here at Herbert Irving Cancer Institute are well-equipped to treat this condition, from minimally invasive surgery to ablative therapies to active monitoring. These resources may guide you in better understanding your condition and treatment options. 

Kidney Stones

Urinary stones often develop in the bladder and kidney due to a variety of causes. Our stone specialists are trained to address these issues with both medical and surgical interventions. These resources below will provide a comprehensive overview of urinary stones, including various treatments and prevention strategies, and guide you through your options.

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a common problem that occurs with involuntary leakage of urine, with almost a third of men and women experiencing this condition in the United States. Other conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse and overactive bladder are also associated with urinary incontinence. The resources below will help guide you through underlying causes as well as various medical, behavioral, and surgical treatments.

Urinary Tract Conditions

Urinary conditions such as Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS), hematuria, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), and prostatitis affect significant portions of the population and can have tremendous impact on quality of life. These resources may guide you in better understanding your condition and treatment options. 

Men’s Health

Several of our Urologists specialize in Men’s Health and associated conditions to provide the best, most comprehensive treatment plans. These resources may guide you in better understanding your condition and treatment options.