Patient Decision Aids help figure out "What's best for me?" (Ottawa Hospital)

A patient decision aid is a tool (for example, a written document, interactive web page, DVD or video) that helps people become involved in decision making by providing information about the options and outcomes and by clarifying personal values. They are designed to complement, rather than replace, counseling from a health practitioner.

How can I find decision aids and learn about their quality?

The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) has created an online inventory that allows you to search for patient decision aids.

The A to Z Inventory: allows you to search for decision aids on particular health topics. For example: Pills for Type 2 Diabetes: A Guide for Adults (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) or Depression: Should I stop taking my antidepressant?  (Healthwise)

Ottawa Personal Decision Guide: A general decision guide that can be used for any health or social decision.

They also have a Facebook page, iShould: http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=20788068773

Professionals: How can I implement decision aids in clinical practice?
Implementation Toolkit: provides tools and training for incorporating decision support in practice centres.

Have you ever used a decision aid, either as a patient or a health professional? If not, would you?