Shared Decision-Making and Patient Autonomy: Why It Matters at Performance Health

At Performance Health, healthcare is a partnership, not a dictatorship. We practice shared decision-making because you deserve more than a list of orders or a quick prescription. You deserve a real conversation, full transparency, and a provider who listens.

Shared decision-making means we bring our medical expertise, and you bring your goals, preferences, concerns and yes - you bring your Google and Chat GPT research too. We encourage curiosity and exploration. Together, we choose the treatment path that fits you best. We explain your options in plain language, including the potential risks, benefits, and alternatives. If there are uncertainties or limitations in the evidence, we tell you. We don't have a crystal ball - when we don't know about how something will turn out, we say that too.

Patient autonomy is not a buzzword here. It is the core of everything we do. We respect your right to say "yes," "no," or "maybe later" without guilt, pressure, or scare tactics. Healthcare works best when you are informed and empowered, not when you're intimidated into compliance.

Informed consent is not just a piece of paper at Performance Health. It is an ongoing dialogue. Every treatment, test, and recommendation comes with a clear, honest discussion. We outline your options, answer your questions, and encourage second opinions if you want them. We recognize that medicine is not an exact science and that every choice comes with some level of uncertainty. You deserve to know that upfront.

We also recognize that not every choice patients make will fit neatly into a published study or textbook recommendation. If a decision is reasonably safe, even if it is not fully supported by large-scale research, we often seek to accommodate it. Shared decision-making matters. Your values, your goals, and your informed choices deserve respect, even when medicine leaves room for different paths forward.

You will never be told "you have no choice" or "this is your only option." Healthcare should support your autonomy, not take it away.

At Performance Health, shared decision-making and true informed consent are not extras. They are the minimum standard. Healthcare that doesn't suck starts with trust, honesty, and respect for your right to choose.