DISCUSSION: PATIENT PREFERENCES AND DECISION MAKING
Changes in culture and technology have resulted in patient populations that are often well
informed and educated, even before consulting or considering a healthcare need delivered
by a health professional. Fueled by this, health professionals are increasingly involving
patients in treatment decisions. However, this often comes with challenges, as illnesses
and treatments can become complex.
What has your experience been with patient involvement in treatment or healthcare
decisions?
In this Discussion, you will share your experiences and consider the impact of patient
involvement (or lack of involvement). You will also consider the use of a patient decision
aid to inform best practices for patient care and healthcare decision making.
To Prepare:
Review the Resources and reflect on a time when you experienced a patient being
brought into (or not being brought into) a decision regarding their treatment plan.
Review the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute's Decision Aids Inventory at
https://decisionaid.ohri.ca/Links to an external site..
Choose 'For Specific Conditions,' then browse an alphabetical listing of decision aids by
health topic.
, After you have chosen a topic (or condition) and a decision aid, consider if social
determinants of health were considered in the treatment plan.
BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 11
Post a brief description of the situation you experienced and explain how incorporating or
not incorporating patient preferences, social determinants of health, and values impacted
the outcome of their treatment plan. Be specific and provide examples. Then, explain
how including patient preferences, social determinants of health, and values might impact
the trajectory of the situation and how these were reflected in the treatment plan. Finally,
explain the value of the patient decision aid you selected and how it might contribute to
effective decision making, both in general and in the experience you described. Describe
how you might use this decision aid inventory in your professional practice or personal
life.