However, concern remains that evaluating complex information in order to reach an informed decision might be more problematic to those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds (Raffle, 2001), and there remain challenges to achieving informed decision-making across all groups.
This underlines the importance of adequate information on those aspects of CRC screening to achieve informed decision making by potential screenees.
Our results add to the evidence that it cannot be assumed that the provision of additional information and support for patients to achieve informed decisions is risk free.
Decision aids provide patients with disease-specific knowledge and assist in the recognition and the appreciation of their personal values to achieve informed decisions.
(Expert #21, researcher NOS) Others spoke of more explicit attempts to achieve informed consumer decision making, encouraging women to consider the net value of screening for themselves as individuals.
Official government policy endorses shared decision making to achieve informed choice in healthcare generally and in screening more specifically [ 30, 31].
Shared decision making has been defined as 'an approach where clinicians and patients share the best available evidence when faced with the task of making decisions, and where patients are supported to consider options, to achieve informed preferences' [ 13].
SDM has been defined as: "an approach where clinicians and patients share the best available evidence when faced with the task of making decisions, and where patients are supported to consider options, to achieve informed preferences".
SDM is defined as "an approach where clinician and patient share the best available evidence when faced with the task of making decisions, and where the patient is supported to consider options, to achieve informed preferences" [ 15].
How challenging is it to achieve informed consent?
With leadership, planning, commitment and substantial investments, a public health department has made significant progress, within the first two years of a 10-year initiative, towards achieving its goal of becoming an evidence informed decision making organization.
