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.
RESOURCES
· Hoffman, T. C., Montori, V. M., & Del Mar, C. (2014). The connection between evidence-based medicine and shared decision makingLinks to an external site. . Journal of the American Medical Association, 312(13), 1295–1296. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.10186
· Kon, A. A., Davidson, J. E., Morrison, W., Danis, M., & White, D. B. (2016). Shared decision making in intensive care units: An American College of Critical Care Medicine and American Thoracic Society policy statementLinks to an external site. . Critical Care Medicine, 44(1), 188–201. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000001396
· Opperman, C., Liebig, D., Bowling, J., & Johnson, C. S., & Harper, M. (2016). Measuring return on investment for professional development activities: Implications for practiceLinks to an external site. . Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 32(4), 176–184. doi:10.1097/NND.0000000000000483
· Schroy, P. C., Mylvaganam, S., & Davidson, P. (2014). Provider perspectives on the utility of a colorectal cancer screening decision aid for facilitating shared decision makingLinks to an external site. . Health Expectations, 17(1), 27–35. doi:10.1111/j.1369-7625.2011.00730.xThe Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. (2019). Patient decision aidsLinks to an external site. . Retrieved from https://decisionaid.ohri.ca/
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
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 healthLinks to an external site. were considered in the treatment plan Social determinants of health can affect a patient’s decision as these are conditions in the patient’s environment, such as economic stability, education access, health care access and quality, neighborhood, and social and community context.
· NOTE: To ensure compliance with HIPAA rules, please DO NOT use the patient’s real name or any information that might identify the patient or organization/practice.
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 healthLinks to an external site. , 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.
( Please Note: The underlined “social determinants of health” in the above content is meant to hotlink to the following Walden webpage and content:
Social Determinants of Health – Social Determinants of Health – Academic Guides at Walden Links to an external site. University)
Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days and offer alternative views on the impact of patient preferences on treatment plans or outcomes, or the potential impact of patient decision aids on situations like the one shared.
DISCUSSION: PATIENT PREFERENCES AND DECISION MAKING
In many cases, when patients are actively involved in treatment decisions, it leads to more personalized care and better adherence to treatment plans. For instance, let’s consider a hypothetical scenario where a patient is diagnosed with a chronic condition like diabetes. If the healthcare provider discusses various treatment options with the patient, considering their preferences, lifestyle, and social determinants of health (such as access to healthy food or transportation to medical appointments), they are more likely to choose a treatment plan that fits their needs and circumstances. This can improve the patient’s overall health outcomes and quality of life.
On the other hand, if patient preferences and social determinants of health are not adequately considered, the treatment plan might not align with the patient’s lifestyle or resources, leading to poor adherence and suboptimal outcomes. For instance, prescribing expensive medications without considering the patient’s financial situation could result in non-compliance due to inability to afford the medication.
Patient decision aids can play a crucial role in facilitating shared decision-making. These aids provide patients with evidence-based information about their condition and available treatment options, helping them make informed decisions that align with their values and preferences. For example, a decision aid for prostate cancer treatment might present information about different treatment options, their potential side effects, and their impact on quality of life. This empowers patients to actively participate in decision-making discussions with their healthcare providers.
In my professional practice, I would utilize decision aids to enhance patient education and engagement. By incorporating decision aids into consultations, I can ensure that patients have access to comprehensive information about their condition and treatment options, ultimately leading to more collaborative and patient-centered care. Additionally, decision aids can serve as valuable resources for patients to review at home, enabling them to reflect on their options and come prepared to discuss their preferences during appointments.
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