A Maine nonprofit is putting a $185,540 grant to use to enable medical patients to participate more fully in their health care decisions.

The group, MaineHealth, began funding demonstration sites in July with the grant from the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making, according to a press release. Decision aids such as DVDs and booklets are available at the sites, and are aimed at helping patients thoroughly examine treatment options.

Patients identified through an electronic medical record system will receive decision aids prior to a physician visit and afterward, depending on health issues discussed at the patient’s visit.

Patients may view decision aids at the MaineHealth Learning Resource centers or borrow them for home viewing. Health educators at the Learning Resource Center will be

available to support patients’ use of these materials and answer questions.

Resource centers are located at Maine Medical Center facilities in Portland, Falmouth and Scarborough.