It is always refreshing to read research that takes into account the views and experience of patients, especially when it can aid shared decision-making. Korteland et al1 present a study investigating exactly this aspect in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement at three Dutch centres. Surveys were carried out in 132 patients preoperatively and 110 patients postoperatively, and focused on key areas including: experience with the decision-making process, patient preferences regarding this, and their understanding of different prosthetic valves. It is a small study, and so the findings should be seen as exploratory rather than definitive. However, there is rich data, so certain lessons can be drawn, and some of these might apply to clinical practice more generally in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery.

Shared decision-making between patients and clinicians is desirable for a number of reasons. Certainly it is ethically important for patients to understand the relevant information about procedures that doctors propose to perform on them. This is a prerequisite for the patients to be able to give their valid consent.2 Despite slow progress, patient surveys have consistently shown that many of them want more involvement in their care,3 and the evidence available suggests that it can improve patient knowledge, patient satisfaction and communication between doctors and patients.4 Shared decision-making is also a more satisfying form of practice for …