Best Case/Worst Case: A Strategy to Manage Uncertainty in Shared Decision-Making (HLOL #164)

Summary: Gretchen Schwarze MD, MPP, is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Surgery and Medical History and Bioethics at the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Schwarze is a practicing vascular surgeon and health services researcher who also directs the clinical ethics curriculum for the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.  Her research interests are in patient-doctor decision making for high-risk operations and end-of-life care for surgical patients. In this podcast, Dr. Schwarze talks with Helen Osborne about: Best Case/Worst Case. A decision-making strategy that uses narrative, a graphic aid, and simplicity to communicate with families about complex treatment options. Examples, stories, and research about using Best Case/Worst Case in practice. Ways that patients and non-physicians can build on these lessons learned. More ways to learn: Kruser JM, Taylor LJ, et al, “Best Case/Worst Case: Training Surgeons to Use a Novel Communication Tool for High-Risk Acute Surgical Problems,” Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 53, No. 4, April 2017. Abstract at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28062349 Taylor LJ, Nabozny MJ, et al, “A Framework to Improve Surgeon Communication in High-Stakes Surgical Decisions: Best Case/Worst Case,” JAMA Surgery, February 1, 2017. PDF at http://ipepweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/jamasurgery_Taylor_2017_oi_160108.pdf “Best Case/ Worst Case Communication Tool – Whiteboard Video.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnS3K44sbu0 “Best Case/Worst Case: High-Stakes Surgical Decisions” (training program). At https://www.hipxchange.org/BCWC Read a transcript of this podcast.