Survey Shows Improved Patient Decision-Making About Herniated Disc Surgery

The results of a new survey show improvements in the quality of patient decision-making about whether or not to undergo surgery for a herniated disc, according to a study that appears in the August 15 issue of the journal Spine.

Karen Sepucha, PhD, and colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, developed and evaluated a tool for use in evaluating the quality of patient decisions regarding treatment for herniated discs in the lower (lumbar) spine. The survey may help to promote shared decision-making, thus helping to ensure that “the right patient is matched with the right treatment.” For more information, click here to read the full release.