Shared Medical Decision-making A Focus of Obamacare

ACA Boosts 'Shared Decision-Making" by Joanne Kenen.  Politico.  November 29, 2012.

Under ACA three multimillion-dollar grants seek to test and expand shared decision-making models.  Under this approach patients are given tools to help them make decisions along with their doctors.  The aim is to overcome patient lack of understanding of statistical risk and adaptation to treatments as well as doctor conscious or unconscious bias.  This move toward shared decision-making is hoped to address health care expense and vast differences in treatment patterns across the nation.  For example, patients in one ZIP code may be 20 times more likely to receive a medical procedure than patients in another ZIP code.  To implement shared decision-making substantial changes in physician training may be required.