[Sometimes less is more. Preventing overdiagnosis by sharing decisions].

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Health Services Research
• Clinical Practice

Context:

• Medical interventions can lead to unintended iatrogenic effects.
• Overdiagnosis, a significant concern, arises from a misunderstanding of risks by patients and clinicians.
• Current practices often lack robust strategies for quaternary prevention.

Purpose:

• To define quaternary prevention and its relationship to overdiagnosis.
• To explore the role of risk perception in fueling overdiagnosis.
• To integrate quaternary prevention strategies within the framework of Shared Decision Making (SDM).

Summary:

• Quaternary prevention focuses on minimizing harm from medical treatments, addressing issues like overdiagnosis.
• Poor risk appreciation by both patients and healthcare providers exacerbates overdiagnosis.
• Implementing quaternary prevention requires effective risk communication and Shared Decision Making.

Impact:

• Enhances patient safety by reducing unnecessary medical interventions.
• Promotes a more patient-centered approach to healthcare through Shared Decision Making.
• Empowers clinicians and patients by fostering collaborative decision-making and shared power.