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Importance of Incorporating Patient Preference and Decision Making

Healthcare experts indicate that incorporating patient preferences in treatment and care decision making is essential in enhancing patient outcome. According to Ho et al. (2016), patient preferences can be spiritual or religious values, cultural and social values, thoughts concerning what constitutes quality of life, individual priorities, and beliefs regarding health. Although healthcare providers are aware and comprehend that they should seek patient input in decisions concerning patient care, this does not always occur due to barriers including time constraints, literacy, prior awareness, race, gender and sociocultural influences. However, healthcare providers have techniques and tools that can assist elicit patient preferences.

In my healthcare setting, a patient visited the hospital complaining of dizziness. He was diagnosed with High Blood Pressure (HBP). The nurse handing the patient included him in the assessment and treatment of the condition. After diagnostic outcomes, the nurse discussed with the patient the outcomes, and together they developed a patient treatment plan. According to Postmus et al. (2016), incorporating patient values and preferences profoundly assisted the nurse tailor intervention for the condition. For instance, both the patient and the nurses agreed that the patient should be exercising at least three times every week and consume a balance diet in an attempt to control the illness. Benz et al. (2019) indicates that engaging the patient in the treatment plan enhanced the satisfaction towards the nurse and the intervention.

The patient’s preferences and values significantly influenced the course of this circumstance. The first impact of the inclusion of the preference into treatment plan is enhanced quality of medical intervention. The nurse was able to develop a feedback that improves the patient outcome. Another impact is concerns the efficiency of the treatment. The patient happily adhered to the prescribed medication, given that he was consulted before the prescriptions handed to him. Lastly, he took long a period to return to the institution with regards to High Blood Pressure (HBP). In other words, the strategy minimized the hospital readmission. According to Benz et al. (2019), healthcare providers should learn to listen to their patient. Listening to patient is an approach that incorporates patient preference and decision making. Moreover, healthcare providers are often obliged to develop interpersonal abilities to enable them to have a conversation with the patients and rather than just delivering the information.

The decision aid utilized in this case was the Ottawa Personal/Family Decision Guides (OP/FDG). The model was essential and valuable, given that it assisted the nurse along with the patient to develop either social or health decision. Moreover, the tool was also essential given that it assisted the patient decide the next step concerning his health. According to Postmus et al. (2016), the OP/FDG is designed to for any health related or social decisions. This tool assists individuals identify their decision making needs, plan the next step, track their improvement, and share their perspective concerning the decision (Benz et al., 2019).  In my line of work, I can utilize this tool in my professional development by planning goals. Nevertheless, utilizing the best available scientific evidence by itself is not adequate for patient in an evidence-based environment (Postmus et al., 2016). As a healthcare professional, I am obliged to incorporate my clinical expertise and patient preferences and values to incorporate the art with the science to improve patient outcomes.