Director for Clinical Ethics / Assistant Professor University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, Colorado
Abstract: Informed consent is essential to patient autonomy, yet healthcare providers often lack a reliable way to access or document patients’ values-based treatment preferences. Electronic health records primarily capture demographic data, which fails to reflect the nuanced beliefs that shape medical decisions. Without a structured approach to gathering and displaying this information, providers may make assumptions that compromise patient-centered care. As a result, patients may unknowingly receive treatments that conflict with their deeply held values, such as medications containing animal- or fetal- derived ingredients or blood products. Additionally, in a time of heightened social and political tensions, some patients may hesitate to disclose personal values that could be perceived as aligning with certain identities or belief systems. Despite growing recognition of the need for culturally informed care, systemic barriers persist, including time constraints, lack of standardized documentation, and uncertainty about how to integrate values-based preferences into clinical workflows. To bridge this gap, we propose an EHR-based feature designed to capture and communicate patient-reported treatment preferences. Rather than relying on providers to initiate discussions or patients to disclose concerns unprompted, this approach embeds critical values into routine workflows, making them visible at key decision points. This presentation will explore the challenges of culturally informed care, the need for systemic change, and how this solution offers a scalable, practical path forward. We will also share preliminary data on provider confidence in gathering values-based information, perceptions of its importance in clinical decision-making, and opinions on the feasibility of integrating this approach into existing workflows.
Keywords: Culturally Informed Care, Patient Values Integration, Clinical Decision-Making
Learning Objectives:
After participating in this conference, attendees should be able to:
Identify challenges in documenting and addressing patients' values-based treatment preferences in clinical care.
Examine proposed systemic solutions for integrating cultural and personal values into clinical workflows and informed consent practices.
Analyze provider perceptions of documenting patient values and the potential consequences of failing to incorporate this information into care decisions.
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