Patient Preferences and Decision-Making

It is the obligation to offer quality medical services to patients. Practicing patient-centered care is one way to ensure quality health service (Russo et al., 2019). Traditionally, physicians and other healthcare providers entirely made decisions regarding patients’ health. The implementation of evidence-based practice has encouraged healthcare providers to involve patients in the decision-making process (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2018). If at all, the patient should make an informed choice, and healthcare workers must respect patients’ preferences.

During my clinical rotations, I encountered patient Z, a 23-year-old female struggling with weight control. The patient had a calculated body mass index of 27 on physical examination. She had elevated cholesterol on the lipid profile test. According to the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute’s Decision aids, the patient was informed of three available treatment options: weight loss and diet control, pharmacological drugs for obesity, and surgery. The patient was advised that the best option was weight loss and diet control while doing a serial lipid test to assess her lipid levels. The patient chose to use a diet plan and do regular exercises. She added that she would prefer bicycle riding and swimming routinely. Fortunately, when the patient returned for the next visit, she had lost about 3kg. Dealing with obesity is a patient’s responsibility, and they should be involved in the decision-making process to control their weight (Jackson et al., 2020). Involving the patient in the decision-making was essential because she took it as her responsibility to reduce her weight.

I chose obesity decision aid, which offers three options for treating obesity, including weight loss and diet control, use of medications, and bariatric surgery. The decision aid provides options from which the patient can choose their preference, as illustrated in my experience during my rotations. As a future registered nurse, I would use the decision aid while giving health education to obese patients or individuals struggling with weight control. Additionally, I would use the decision aid to help me maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet to prevent being overweight.

References

Jackson Leach, R., Powis, J., Baur, L. A., Caterson, I. D., Dietz, W., Logue, J., & Lobstein, T. (2020). Clinical care for obesity: A preliminary survey of sixty‐eight countries. Clinical obesity, 10(2), e12357. https://doi.org/10.1111/cob.12357

Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2018). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.

Russo, S., Jongerius, C., Faccio, F., Pizzoli, S. F., Pinto, C. A., Veldwijk, J., & Pravettoni, G. (2019). Understanding patients’ preferences: a systematic review of psychological instruments used in patients’ preference and Decision studies. Value in Health, 22(4), 491-501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2018.12.007

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

Patient Preferences and Decision-Making

Discussion: 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 using 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/.
Choose “For Specific Conditions,” then Browse an alphabetical listing of decision aids by health topic.
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 and values impacted the outcome of their treatment plan. Be specific and provide examples. Then, explain how including patient preferences and values might impact the trajectory of the situation and how these were reflected in the treatment plan. Finally, explain the importance of the patient decision aid you selected and how it might contribute to effective decision-making in general and in your described experience. Describe how you might use this decision-aid inventory in your professional practice or personal life.