[Smoking cessation: How can we involve patients better in treatment choice?]

Counseling and pharmacotherapy are smoking cessation interventions whose effectiveness has been widely demonstrated. Different pharmacologic treatment options exist with similar efficacy : notably nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline and bupropion. Providers can promote therapeutic adherence and the chances of successful quitting by involving patients in the choice of medication and incorporating their preferences in the decision process. The concept of shared decision-making is based on an exchange between doctor and patient in medical situations with several reasonable options. Decision aids support this approach by facilitating the transmission of information, communication and patient involvement. Despite opportunities for shared decision-making during the smoking cessation process, few decision aids are available. This article summarizes current knowledge in this field and its application to the process of smoking cessation. Shared decision making in smoking cessation is illustrated by a decision aid created to facilitate the choice between different smoking cessation medications.