Shared decision making honors patient autonomy, particularly for preference-sensitive care decisions. Shared decision making can be challenging, however, when patients have impaired decision-making capacity. Here, after presenting an illustrative case example, this paper proposes a capacity-adjusted "sliding scale" approach to shared decision making.
CaseDr Q is an academic hepatologist meeting a new patient, Mr R, for newly diagnosed cirrhosis. The patient has clear signs of liver dysfunction and has already been admitted to the hospital previously for a gastrointestinal bleed related to esophageal varices. He also has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity, and poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus.Dr Q and her student, Ms G, interview and examine Mr R together. They learn that Mr R did not complete high school and lives on what he calls "the wrong side of the tracks." He lives alone and drinks 4 beers daily. He thinks his brother might have had "liver problems," too.As the conversation unfolds, it becomes clear that Mr R does not know why he's in clinic today. "My doc said it was something about my liver, but…" He shrugs.Ms G and Dr Q teach Mr R about cirrhosis. They emphasize the importance of alcohol abstinence and start to explain that further workup is necessary-including, potentially, a liver biopsy. Their goal is to enter into shared decision making with Mr R about liver biopsy. Mr R holds up his hand midway through their explanation and says, "I'm not a detail guy, Doc. I trust you. You tell me what to do, and I'll do it." They talk more, and, ultimately, Dr Q asks, "Do you have any questions for me?" Mr R pauses for a second, starts to ask a question, and then tapers off. 1 Finally, he says, "Whatever you say, Doc. I'm in your hands."