Patient Preferences and Decision Making

Answer

Patient-Centered Health Care Provision

Involving patients in decision-making regarding their treatment plan has been one of the ways that health care systems are trying to make their care services patient-centered. Physicians work with their patients in choosing the tests to be conducted as well as the treatment options to be taken while taking into consideration the risks and patient preferences. Shared decision making enables the patient to make informed decisions that are right for him or her since the physician is available to explain the pros and cons of the options that may be under review.

Engaging the patient in decision making has shown higher levels of patient satisfaction regarding their care. This is because patients are advised accordingly, and hence make informed decisions taming unrealistic expectations. Since the patients know what to expect, many are at ease and not anxious about what may happen since they know the possible result (Schrieks, 2017). The informed patients are also able to adhere to the treatment plan since they feel they made their choices independently without manipulation or superimposition.

While issuing out drugs to AIDs patients, I realized the patients that I had a deeper relationship with were more confident approaching me and explaining the side effects of their medication. I always allowed them to decide when they would find it comfortable to take their drugs in terms of timing. This shows that there are factors that influence patient participation, and these include the patient-physician relationship. A bigger number of patients whom I allowed to make their decisions regarding their treatment seemed to comply more. Other factors influenced such motivations, which include their knowledge of the treatment plans, beliefs, culture, and time allocated to them to participate in the plans.

The involvement of patients in their treatment plan has been shown to give positive outcomes. This has also enhanced positively the secondary measures to be taken by the patient since they feel it is a continuation of the process they chose (Kolovos, Kaitelidou, Lemonidou, Sachlas&Sourtzi, 2014). Compared to instructing a patient on what to undertake or what to eat without them being aware of the reasons, may seem a bombarding experience. Enhanced patient participation shows that the patients are considered as equals in the decision-making process or even having an upper hand since it involves their lives.

Current models advise on including the patient in the decision-making process if the data supporting the process is limited or there is no clear strategy. In such a scenario, the risks are higher, and hence the more reasons to have the patient aware of what they are up against. This will also reduce the suits, of any form, a hospital receives due to patient dissatisfaction.

The difficulty experienced in the process should be made aware of the patient. The steps taken in such a case are first, making the patient aware that the options are varied. Informing the patient of the expected outcome comes second; and third, they should be given chance to express their views on the same. This process will ensure that the physician and the patient are on the same page regarding the process to be undertaken.

Patient decision aids are patient-based tools used to help the patient make a better decision about their treatment plan. The decision aid contains a variety of information which include the description of the patient’s health condition, other patient experiences regarding the same condition, or a related one but not limited to describing the expected outcome. Evidence-based treatment methods can also be part of the decision aid.

Decision aids may not be considered to be general education guides, but they have the impact of making the patient aware of so many issues regarding the process. The patient will make informed decisions, and through the experiences of other patients, the patient can know what to expect (Rehman, 2016). The use of the aids in the future by the physician makes them aware of what to expect from the patients in terms of behavior. Any reviewing physician is also made aware of the result of any treatment option that may have been taken, hence enabling him or her to make better decisions.

My patients who used the decision aid were well prepared on what to expect especially the side effects. The side effects tend to make most patients discouraged from taking their medications since some can be very severe. The effects vary from one patient to another, and so making them aware of the wide list will reduce the chances of them being taken by surprise if something that they did not expect happens. The decision aid served my patients well, especially those who took a keen interest in it.

The few patients who did not consider the decision aid as important had their share of trouble since they could frequently contact me to explain their situation that they felt was out of control. This was inconveniencing to me since I was distracted from my daily duties to attend to them. Allowing my patients to make their own decisions also put me in a dilemma since I could not force anyone who did not want to review other patient’s experiences.

Conclusion

Patient participation in decision-making of their treatment plans is a key area in modern health care. This reduces the chances of having patient dissatisfaction, and also optimize the chance of having positive results from the patient since they are motivated to work with the physician for their good. Decision aids are tools and they are of varied forms which include pamphlets, sheets of papers, journals, or even videos that work to enable the patient to make better decisions regarding the treatment plan options.