As I reflect on last week in Marseille, I keep returning to the exchange on informed consent and shared decision-making that was stimulated by watching Michael Skolnik’s story on film. The group concurred that their training around informed consent was all but non-existent during medical school and residency. As the conversation continued, it became clear that true patient-centered care would include this often missed opportunity to better understand a patient’s needs, values, preferences and goals as they relate to the risks and benefits of any (and every) procedure. What is successful hand surgery to a painter? Or knee surgery to a prima ballerina? Or heart surgery to a seventy-five year old grandfather who just wants to dance at his granddaughter’s wedding? How does that compare to a successful outcome for the surgeon? And perhaps just as important, does the surgeon know if her patient is painter? A dancer? A grandfather?… Continue reading