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Mass General Hospital hosted the New England Journal of Medicine Case Conference in May 2025, featuring the story of a patient with aortic stenosis. The session followed the patient’s journey—from the first signs of illness, through testing, to receiving care and treatment. Along the way, it showed the key moments when decisions had to be made, how the care team worked together, and the evidence that guided the patient’s treatment.
The conference also emphasized the patient’s perspective. It highlighted how important it is for patients to clearly understand their options and to have open conversations with their doctors. Shared decision making—where patients’ preferences and personal circumstances are taken into account—was highlighted as essential for achieving the best care.
As the patient reflected:
“Looking back, I have no regrets and feel that my decision was fully aligned with my personal philosophy and life experience.”
An accompanying NEJM paper has been published and can be found here:
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcpc2412535
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