Mayo Clinic patient and employee partners of the Shared Decision Making National Resource Center
“The best interest of the patient is the only interest to be considered”
This last sentence is from the 1910 Rush Medical College commencement address by W. J. Mayo, M.D. The full sentence included an important requirement:
“in order that the sick may have the benefit of advancing knowledge, union of forces is necessary.”
The Shared Decision Making National Resource Center represents a union of forces with breadth and depth of capabilities that does not have parallel anywhere in the world. Furthermore, the Shared Decision Making National Resource Center is involved in setting international standards for patient decision aids, state-wide shared decision making practices through the Minnesota Collaborative on Shared Decision Making, and promoting national and international dialogue about patient-centered care. The partnerships are best reflected in the composition of the initiative’s distinguished Advisory Board.
Together, 100 years after the “union of forces” address, Mayo Clinic is realizing this vision to promote a true patient revolution in healthcare, one that brings healthcare back to the patient’s best interest, which is the only interest to be considered.
