Decision making tree

Question 1

5 steps of decision making

Answer 1

1. Describe the Situation
2. Use the Fundamental Checklist
3. Consult Others
4. Identify Options and Choose the Best Action
5. Evaluate the Decision

Question 2

Step 1: Describe the Situation

Answer 2

• What are the key elements of the situation?
• What are the potential risks associated with the situation?

Cueing questions:
What could happen?
How likely is it to occur?
How severe would the outcome be? How can the chance of occurrence or the impact of the event be reduced?
What is the decision to be made?
Are there personal assumptions, biases, or cultural differences that could impact decision-making?

Question 3

Step 2: Use the Fundamental Checklist

Answer 3

1. Client and Family (e.g. client goals, preferences, lived experience, values, beliefs, and desired quality of life)
2. Organization and Practice Setting
3. Theories and Evidence (e.g. principle of respecting autonomy, held accountable for their assessment, communication)
4. Professional Regulations (e.g. College’s Code of Ethics, the Essential Competencies, and the College’s Standards for Practice)
5. Healthcare Team (bring up the situation at clinical rounds or speak separately to interprofessional team members for input)
6. Law (Child, Youth and Family Services Act; Health Care Consent Act; Regulated Health Professions Act; Personal Health Information Protection Act, and Highway Traffic Act)

Question 4

Step 3: Consult Others

Answer 4

e.g.
* Colleagues
* Supervisors
* Lawyers or legal professionals
* Ethicists or an ethics board
* Regulatory bodies
* Other clinical or non-clinical professionals or subject matter experts

Question 5

Step 4: Identify Options and Choose the Best Action

Answer 5

• What makes this the best approach?
• Does the rationale sound reasonable when you say it aloud?
• What is your professional instinct telling you?
  → Recognize and Address Consequences → Document

Question 6

Step 5: Evaluate the Decision

Answer 6

• What was the impact of your decision on those involved?
• Is there anything in your practice that needs to be adjusted now or in the future?
• Is there a need for advocacy?
• Assuming a similar situation presents itself, would you make the same choices? If no, what would you change?