Making decisions about your health

These health decision aids are focused on the questions patients most frequently ask about a treatment or test. Patients can explore what matters most, and select the option that best matches their values, needs and preferences.

These resources don't replace talking with a doctor, but they can help patients prepare for those discussions.

Note: If you would like to view any of these aids, email KPWA Patient Health Education with the title(s), and viewable links will be emailed to you.

Treatment and surgery options

Advance care planning
CPR If My Heart Stops: Should I Accept It?
Dialysis for People who are seriously ill
Nutrition Options for People Who Are Seriously Ill
Planning for End-of-Life Decions
Ventilator for People Who Are Seriously Ill? Stay On or Remove?

Bones and joints
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury Treatment Options
Bunions Treatment Options
Hammer Toe and Similar Problems Treatment Options
Herniated Disk in Lower Back: Early Treatment Options
Hip Osteoarthritis: Nonsurgical Treatment Options
Hip Replacement: Should I Have It?
Knee Osteoarthritis: Nonsurgical Treatment Options
Total Knee Replacement: Should I Have It?
Neck Osteoarthritis (Cervical Spondylosis) Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Osteoporosis and Osteopenia: Medication Options
Short-Term Low Back Pain Treatment Options
Shoulder Osteoarthritis Treatment Options
Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment Options
Spinal Narrowing (Stenosis of the Lower Back) Treatment Options

Breast
Breast Cancer Screening
Breast Reconstruction Options During or After Mastectomy
Breast Removal Surgery: Should I Remove Both Breasts to Lower My Cancer Risk?
Breast Removal Surgery: Should I Remove the Breast Without Cancer?
Early-Stage Breast Cancer Treatment Options
Mammogram for Breast Cancer Screening for People in Their 40s: Should I Have It?
Mammogram for Breast Cancer Screening for People in Their 50s: Should I Have It?
Mammogram for Breast Cancer Screening for People in Their 60s: Should I Have It?

Cancer
Breast Cancer Screening
Breast Reconstruction Options During or After Mastectomy
Breast Removal Surgery: Should I Remove Both Breasts to Lower My Cancer Risk?
Breast Removal Surgery: Should I Remove the Breast Without Cancer?
Colorectal Cancer Screening Options
Early-Stage Breast Cancer Treatment Options
Fast-Growing (High-Risk) Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Lung Cancer Screening
Lung Cancer Screening: Should I Have It?
Mammogram for Breast Cancer Screening (Women in their 40s): Should I Have It?
Mammogram for Breast Cancer Screening (Women in their 50s): Should I Have It?
Mammogram for Breast Cancer Screening (Women in their 60s): Should I Have It?
Prostate Cancer Screening
Medium-Risk Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Test: Should I Have It?
Slow-Growing (Low-Risk) Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

Children
Antibiotics for Middle Ear Infections: Should My Child Take Them?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Medicine Options for Children
Ear Tubes for Frequent Ear Infections: Should My Child Get Them?
Tonsillectomy for Sore Throat (Tonsillitis): Should My Child Have It?

Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes Medicine Options to Lower Your Blood Sugar Levels

Family planning and pregnancy
Birth Control Options (By Prescription)
Delivery Options if I Had a Previous Cesarean Section (C-Section)
Down Syndrome and Other Trisomies Screening Options During Pregnancy

Goals of Care in Serious Illness CPR If My Heart Stops: Should I Accept It?
Dialysis for People who are seriously ill
Nutrition Options for People Who Are Seriously Ill
Planning for End-of-Life Decions
Ventilator for People Who Are Seriously Ill? Stay On or Remove?

Heart
Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Options to Lower Stroke Risk
Cardiovascular Risk: Statin Decision
Chest Pain (Stable Angina) Treatment Options
Heart Failure With a Weak Pump: ACE-Inhibitor or Sacubitril/Valsartan?
High Blood Pressure Lifestyle Management Options
High Blood Pressure Single Medicine Treatment Options
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) for Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: Should I Get It?
PCSK9 Inhibitors for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD)
Stable Angina: Treatment Pathways
Statins for High Risk of Heart Problems
Statins for Low Risk of Heart Problems: Should I Take It?
Statins for Medium Risk of Heart Problems: Should I Take It?

Infections Antibiotics for Middle Ear Infections: Should My Child Take Them?
COVID-19 Vaccine Options
Ear Tubes for Frequent Ear Infections: Should My Child Get Them?
Hepatitis C Treatment: Should I Have it?
Tonsillectomy for Sore Throat (Tonsillitis): Should My Child Have It?

Kidneys
Dialysis Options for People with Kidney Disease
Dialysis for People Who Are Seriously Ill: Stay On or Stop?

Mental health and addiction
Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment Options
Anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder) Treatment Options
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Medicine Options for Children
Depression Treatment Options
Opioid Addiction Treatment Options
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment Options
Smoking: Options for Quitting

Nerves and brain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Options
Migraine Prevention Options
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Shot and Infusion Options to Slow Progression
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Oral Medicine Options to Slow Progression
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Overview of Treatment Options to Slow Progression

Prostate
Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy) Treatment Options
Fast-Growing (High-Risk) Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Medium-Risk Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Prostate Cancer Screenings
PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Test: Should I Have It?
Slow-Growing (Low-Risk) Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

Screening
Breast Cancer Screening
Colorectal Cancer Screening Options<
Down Syndrome and Other Trisomies Screening Options During Pregnancy
Lung Cancer Screening
Lung Cancer Screening: Should I Have It?
Mammogram for Breast Cancer Screening for People in Their 40s: Should I Have It?
Mammogram for Breast Cancer Screening for People in Their 50s: Should I Have It?
Mammogram for Breast Cancer Screening for People in Their 60s: Should I Have It?
Prostate Cancer Screening
PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Test: Should I Have It?<

Stomach and intestines
Endoscopy for Indigestion (Dyspepsia): Should I Have This Test?
Gallbladder Stone Pain (Biliary Colic): Watch and Wait or Have Surgery?
Groin (Inguinal) Hernia: Should I Have Surgery?
Heartburn (Reflux) Treatment Options
Weight-Loss Surgery Options
Weight-Loss Surgery: Should I Have It?

Uterus, ovaries, and menopause
Birth Control Options (By Prescription)
Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Treatment Options
Menopause Treatment Options for Hot Flashes
Uterine Fibroids Medicine Options
Uterine Fibroids Treatment Options

Vaccines
COVID-19 Vaccine Options