F. Patient-centered Care VA/DoD CPGs encourage providers to use a PCC approach that is individualized based on patient needs, characteristics, and preferences. Regardless of setting, all patients in the healthcare system should be able to access evidence-based care appropriate to their specific needs or condition. When properly executed, PCC may decrease patient anxiety, increase trust in clinicians, and improve treatment adherence.[25,26] Improved patient-clinician communication and a PCC approach conveys openness and supports disclosure of current and future concerns. As part of the PCC approach, providers should ask each patient about any concerns he or she has or barriers to high quality care he or she has experienced. G. Shared Decision Making Throughout this VA/DoD CPG, the authors encourage clinicians to focus on shared decision making (SDM). The SDM model was introduced in Crossing the Quality Chasm, an Institute of Medicine (IOM) (now called the National Academy of Medicine [NAM]) report, in 2001.[27] It is readily apparent that patients, together with their clinicians, make decisions regarding their plan of care and management options. Patients with HTN require sufficient information and time to be able to make informed decisions. Clinicians must be adept at presenting information to their patients regarding treatments, expected outcomes, and levels and/or locations of care. Clinicians are encouraged to use SDM to individualize treatment goals and plans based on patient capabilities, needs, goals, and preferences. H. Co-occurring Conditions Co-occurring health conditions are important to recognize because they can modify the degree of risk and trajectory of an individual s lifestyle, impact the diagnosis and management of HTN, influence patient or provider treatment priorities and clinical decisions, and affect the overall provider approach to the management of HTN. Providers should expect that many Veterans, Service Members, and their families will have one or more co-occurring health conditions. 