173 patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee or hip were randomly assigned into 1 of 2 groups to see if shared decision making (with a health coach and digital video disc and booklet describing the natural history and treatment alternatives for hip and knee osteoarthritis, development of a structured list of questions for their surgeon in consultation with a health coach, CD recording of the consultation with the surgeon, and printed copy of surgeon's dictated note) resulted in improved patient knowledge, decision making, treatment choice and experience. Patients who were placed in the shared decision making group were found to have significantly greater confidence in the questions they asked their doctors than those in the control, and were more likely to come to an informed decision (regarding their treatment) by their first visit with a surgeon. Additionally, it was found that surgeons experienced a greater overall satisfaction level with those who took part in the shared decision making process.