Decision aids (DAs) are used by healthcare providers to inform patients about healthcare options and the outcomes associated with those options while taking patients’ values and preferences into account in decisionmaking.1 Various forms of DA have been used, including audiotapes, computer programs, CD-ROMs, interactive videodiscs, pamphlets and videos.2

Mullan and colleagues conducted a pilot study to examine the efficacy of one DA, Diabetes Medication Choice cards, in promoting patient decision-making in the choice of antihyperglycaemic medications. They also studied the cards’ effects on medication adherence and glycaemic control. Six simply designed cards provided succinct information about metformin, insulin, thiazolidinediones, exenatide and sulfonylureas. Each card presented one aspect of these medications: weight change, hypoglycaemia, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reduction, daily routine for taking the medication, frequency of blood sugar monitoring and side effects.

The …