Development of a decision aid for patients with atrial fibrillation who are considering antithrombotic therapy

With patients demanding a greater role in the clinical decisionmaking proce ss, many researchers are developing and disseminating decision aids for var ious medical conditions. In this article. we outline the essential elements in the development and evaluation of a decision aid to help patients with atrial fibrillation choose, in consultation with their physicians, appropri ate antithrombotic therapy (warfarin, aspirin, or no therapy) to prevent st roke. We also outline possible future directions regarding the implementati on and evaluation of this decision aid. This information should enable clin icians to better understand the role that decision aids may have in their i nteractions with patients.