Patient preferences

Dr. David Nash makes some very good points about  the importance of recognizing both the relevance and the lack of alignment with physician beliefs of patient preferences, commenting on a December 4, 2011 JAMA commentary by Dr. Allen Detsky.

We must recognize that “…our patient priorities work against some important wellness and population health initiatives and, on an even more fundamental level, against acceptance of evidence-based medicine in general.

While patient preferences may not be entirely rational, they are not irrelevant.”

Definitely worth reading.