NURS 6052 DISCUSSION: PATIENT PREFERENCES AND DECISION MAKING
Healthcare professionals work in different settings, and their experiences with patients vary contextually. Despite encountering different patients, healthcare professionals are advised to promote patient-centeredness and ensure that patient values and preferences are incorporated into the treatment plan. Such considerations help to minimize health-related issues hence improving patient care outcomes. Decision aids are among the tools recommended for health professionals to improve decision-making.
I have experienced many situations in practice; some require incorporating patient preferences and values, while others do not need it. I once experienced a case where a patient had challenges choosing between medicines for high blood pressure and trying lifestyle changes first. She was unsure which method was the most effective in terms of recovery time and lasting effects. Incorporating patient preferences and values impacted the treatment plan positively since it was patient-centered, and the patient understood all the components. As González-Bueno et al. (2018) pointed out, patient-centeredness improves medication adherence. Similarly, the patient was more comfortable with the final decisions after evaluating the options.
Including patient preferences and values promotes patient engagement and improves patient care outcomes. Besides scientific evidence and clinical expertise, patient preferences and values are vital to evidence-based practice (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2018). It is the foundation of patient-centered care where patients play an active role in formulating treatment plans. The same was reflected in the treatment plan since the patient actively participated in decision-making. As Bombard et al. (2018) noted, patient engagement improves the patient-provider relationship and care quality. Similarly, engaging the patient in decision-making improved my relationship with her since she opened up about her everyday activities, fears, and cultural barriers affecting her choices.
The patient decision aid relevant to this situation is the “High Blood Pressure: Should I Take Medicine” option. It has various components to guide decision-making; facts, options comparison, patient’s feelings, decision, self-assessment, and summary (Healthwise Staff, 2022). The options comparison part is the most critical since it compares the effectiveness and setbacks of taking medications versus lifestyle changes. The decision aid contributes to informed decision-making since it analyzes the pros and cons of medications and lifestyle changes in high blood pressure control. In this case, the patient chooses the preference while knowing the benefits and side effects. Patient decision aids ensure that decisions are explicit by providing adequate and clear information about the options and expected outcomes (The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 2019). I will continue using this decision aid inventory to guide patients and families in making rational choices regarding high blood pressure control.
