Decision Making Flashcards
What is Decision Making?
A process that chooses a preferred option or a course of actions from among a set of alternatives on the basis of given criteria or strategies
The cognitive process leading to the selection of a course of action among alternatives
Problem Solving
- A comprehensive, sequential, cognitive process used to solve a problem by reducing the difference between current and desired conditions
- Closing the gap between “what is” & “what should be”
- A process that purposefully & constantly re-evaluates
- Problem solving is not the same as critical thinking. Problem solving is missing the concept of prevention, creativity, improvement and aiming for best results
- Problem solving differs from decision making because DM includes identification of a goal or outcome and it involves evaluation of the action
Critical Thinking
- A mode of thinking about any subject, content, or problem in which the thinker improves the quality of their thinking
- A contextual process of thinking ahead, thinking in action, & thinking back
- Necessary to make decisions or solve problems
- Allows for thinking outside the box
CT/DM/PS
Resolving a problem and making decisions requires critical thinking
Problem solving is a process (ex. Nsg process)
Decision making requires you to make a choice between alternatives.
Clinical Judgement
- An interpretation or conclusion about a patient’s needs, concerns, or health problems
- It is the clinical application of decision making!
- A series of decisions
- Often a result of a problem but not always
- Assists us to anticipate or prevent problems
Nature of Decision Making
DM encourages competence, self-confidence and it empowers nurses
Decisions in nursing are made in relation to;
Context of nurse-patient relationship
Context & system of care delivery
Professional development & career context
Maintenance versus Greatness
Factors Influencing DM;
Intrinsic Factors
Personal Perception & Preference Knowledge & Experience Competence Self-Confidence Stress
Factors Influencing DM;
Extrinsic Factors
- Organizational Climate & Culture
- Patient Autonomy
- Legislation & Regulation
Conditions that Influence DM
- Responsibility for the decision
- Comfort level in making decisions
- Adequate info or degree of information which followers have access to or are entitled to have
- Commitment value/acceptance priority
Pitfalls to Effective DM
- Making decision on first available information
- Not wanting to ‘rock the boat’
- Justification for previous decisions
- Ignoring evidence that differs from opinion
- Presenting with a bias or leading question
- Inaccurately determining probabilities to solutions
Problem Solving in Nursing Practice
- Identify the problem
- Gather data
- Analyze data
- Develop Solutions (Dec. Making)
- Select Solutions (Dec. Making)
- Implement the Solution
Evaluate the result
Team vs Group Decision
- Not all groups become a team
- Groups are individuals who have an interdependent relationship
- Team members share ownership of purpose
Formal lines of communication in group settings
Downward – top down
Upward
Horizontal/Lateral
Diagonal
Informal lines of communication in group settings
Grapevine
- Ingrained
- Co-exists with formal lines
- Info distorted 75%
- Affects morale
- Rapid & influential
Advantages of participatory/Group DM
- Improves quality of decision by having group involvement.
- More ideas generated by a group than individual.
- Decisions are more accepted & committed to by participants.
- Implementation is easier if individuals are involved in the process.
