Do patients want to participate in medical decision making?

A survey of hypertensive outpatients and their physicians in three clinic settings revealed differences between patients and physicians their perceptions of disclosure and decision making. Patients wanted more of therapy and of decisions about treatment but preferred to leave making to their clinicians. Physicians underestimated both the of information patients received and the amount they desired, but both the amount of actual patient participation in decision and their patients' desire to make decisions. The authors suggest, in view of these discrepancies, physicians and patients should engage in discussion of their preferences. (KIE abstract)