Footnotes

• Contributors M-AD drafted this editorial, supported by PS and GE who edited and improved the content. All authors approved the final draft.

• Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

• Competing interests GE and M-AD have developed the Option Grid patient decision aids, which are licensed to EBSCO Health. They receive consulting income from EBSCO Health and royalties. No other competing interests to declare.

• Provenance and peer review Commissioned; externally peer reviewed.