Decision-making in Adult Care Sample

Introduction: Decision-making in Adult Care

Decision-making in adult care is very important for the reason that it includes deciding to care for the patient. Within health and social care, it is essential for the people that effective decisions are taken. This is because of the reason that when the decision made will be effective then it will improve the working efficiency of the health care setting and healthcare professionals. The present study is based on the National Health Service, a publicly funded healthcare system founded in 1948. The current study will outline the purpose and situations for which the decision needs to be made. Along with this role, the evidence-based decision will be outlined along with the formal and informal decision-making process. Further, the benefits of engaging with individuals and stakeholders with whom communication is required will be outlined. Moreover, in the end, the importance of reviewing of decision and some suggestions for improvement will be outlined. 

MAIN BODY

Outlining the purpose and situation of making a decision

Decision-making is defined as the process through which one choice is selected from the range of different options available. For the effective working and caring of adults within a healthcare setting, the person must handle adults effectively. This is very necessary for the reason that when the decisions will not be made on time then it might be impacting the working of the person and their health to a great extent. Within health care, quick and spontaneous decisions must be made by health care professionals. This is particularly necessary because when the decisions taken will not be affected then it will be impacting the overall working of the Healthcare practitioner and the health of the patient as well. Adult care requires some extra care for the patient because they are elderly. Thus, an effective decision-making process must be followed within adult care. 

There are many different situations within which there is a requirement of quick decision making and it is very necessary for the proper care of the patient. Many times there are some contingency situations where instant decision-making needs to be undertaken (Tinetti and et.al, 2019). For instance, if there is some accident case coming within the National Health Service then there needs to be some effective decision-making system present so that quick decisions can be taken about providing treatment to the patient. In such a case, the whole decision-making process will not be followed and a rather quick decision will be taken as to what needs to be done for operating the patient. 

Moreover, another purpose of effective decision-making within the National Health Service is that it will ensure that the desired outcomes are attained well with the help of effective decision-making. This is necessary for the reason that when a proper decision is taken it will result in effective attainment of the goal for which the decision is taken (Boyd and et.al, 2019). This is essential because proper decision-making will help healthcare professionals to manage the work well and try to improve the work. This is necessary for the reason that when the effective decision is followed in the planned manner then automatically the objectives will be attained.

Role of evidence-based decision 

The evidence-based decision-making is defined as the process where the heart data is used to make informed decisions. Within the healthier sector, evidence-based seasons must be taken by Healthcare professionals. Within adult care, evidence-based decisions must be taken. This is particularly because of the reason that when the evidence is present tense the quality of the decision would be improved. The reason underlying the factors is that when the evidence is proven or present then automatically the quality of the decision increases. For effective adult care and other Health Care practices, evidence-based decisions must be made. In addition, evidence-based practice also helps healthcare professionals to use them for future References as well (Evidence-based practice for effective decision-making, 2023). Further evidence-based decision-making also helps in making the outcome of the decision favourable. This is particularly because of the reason that the evidence provides the possibility of the outcome and its success. Along with this, the evidence can also be used in future for making decisions in similar kinds of situations. This is particularly for the reason that when a similar kind of situation is faced by the person in future as well then the evidence can be used and ultimately the objectives for which the decision can be taken and work effectively. 

Key stages of the formal and informal decision-making process

For the effective working of the Healthcare practice, the decision-making process must be followed effectively. This decision-making process can be of two types: formal and informal. For the health care professionals within National Health Services, the use of formal and informal decision-making processes is very necessary. The formal decision-making process includes a systematic review of the different evidence and consulting guidelines. On the other hand, the informal decision-making process does not include any kind of steps or any other related strategies. Within the formal decision-making process, the first step is gathering the relevant information relating to the decision which needs to be taken. 

In addition to this another step includes identifying the different alternatives which can be used for the effective decision to be taken (Font, Thyagarajan and Khanna, 2020). Furthermore, it includes a comparison of all the alternatives and selecting the best alternative which is suitable for the company and its situation. On the other hand, the informal decision-making process does not include any specific sequence of steps that need to be taken. This is particularly necessary because when an effective decision needs to be taken then a formal decision-making process needs to be followed. Informal decision-making includes the on-time decision with needs to be taken in case of some emergency or contingency.

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Purpose and benefit of engaging with individuals

The decision-making process is a process which is conducted within a team. While managing the Healthcare setting a group of people need to be present actively and continuously working in the direction of attaining the objectives of the Healthcare setting. It is very necessary for Healthcare professionals the effectively engage with the individuals working within the team. This is particularly necessary because when proper engagement with individuals will not be present then the decision-making will not be effective. This is particularly necessary because when the individuals within the team are happy then they will be providing their efficient work and as a result of this the overall working efficiency of the team will be improved. 

The benefit of engaging with individuals is that it provides with wide variety of options before making the decision. Every person is different and the way of thinking is also different. This provides a wide range of suggestions before finalizing any decisions. Thus, as a result of this, the whole decision is very effective and helps in the proper attainment of the objects for which the decision is taken. In addition to this another benefit of engaging with others during the decision-making process is that it will result in increased productivity (Onofri, Broomfield and Tan, 2020.). The reason underlying the fact is that when the views of every individual are taken then automatically more suggestions will come. Thus, there will be better choices to be taken and to decide for. Thus, this ultimately will result in effective decision-making and the stated objectives will be met easily. 

Range of stakeholders with whom the decision is communicated

For the effective working of the Healthcare setting, it is very necessary that effective communication is being done with these stakeholders. Please stay holders are the people who are interested in theme working in the help care setting (Yuen and et.al, 2019). Hence, it is very necessary that every decision needs to be effectively communicated with the stakeholders. The different types of stakeholders within the National Health Service are as follows-

The first and foremost stakeholders are the doctors who are working within the healthier setting. Every decision to be taken needs to be communicated clearly with the doctors. This is particularly necessary because if they are not aware of the decisions or the recent changes then they will not be in a position to give accurate services.

Another stakeholder with whom effective decisions need to be communicated is the nurses. This is very necessary because nurses are the people who assist the doctors and treat the patients. It is very necessary to effectively communicate the decisions with the nurses so that they can continue their work effectively.

In addition to this another stakeholder with whom the decision needs to be communicated effectively is the community. This is necessary because when the decisions are communicated to the whole community then any change within the working will be known to them. Thus, it will help them in availing the services of the Healthcare setting.

Another major stakeholder with whom the decisions need to be shared is the pharmacist present within the healthcare setting. This is very necessary that effective decisions are communicated to them so that all the medicines can be made available on time. This is necessary for the reason that effective communication will help them in providing the right medicine on time to the patients. 

Importance of reviewing the decision

For the decision-making to be successful it is very necessary that the decisions or reviewed effectively. This is particularly necessary because when the decision taken will not be reviewed then the effectiveness will not be analysed. For these successful working in the health care setting it is very necessary that all the decisions be effective (Gong and et.al, 2021). In case the decisions taken are not effective than the overall working of the health care setting would be impacted. It is very necessary for health care professionals that day time to time review the decisions. Even after the implementation of the decision it is necessary to be reviewed. this is necessary because the review will assist the health care professionals and ensure that whether the decision implemented has been useful for the health care setting or not. 

Along with this whole decision-making process also needs to be reviewed at every step. This is necessary because when the decisions taken will be reviewed from time to time at every stage then any consequences or discrepancies can be highlighted (Sokas, Hu and Cooper, 2021). This discrepancy or the issue will be solved at the same time and it will result in the effective attainment of the objectives for which the decision is being taken. It is very necessary for the National Health Services they effectively comply with all the decision-making steps and time to time review every step of the decision-making process. In addition to this it will guide the health care professionals in making accurate and effective decisions in turn will result in effective management within the health care setting.

Recommendations and suggestions

Moreover, another recommendation to healthcare professionals for improving decision-making is that develop the skill of critical evaluation and thinking. This is necessary for the reason that there are many different types of alternatives available within the market. Hence, it is the responsibility of the health care professionals that they critically evaluate every method and analyse their pros and cons. After this critical thinking and evaluation, only the decision needs to be taken. This is necessary because the decision-making involves evaluating the different types of alternatives and then selecting the most appropriate.

Along with this another recommendation to healthcare professionals is that they must gather all the appropriate data relating to the area of decision. This is a very necessary reason for making the decision different data is required (Zhang and et.al, 2020). Hence, for this, all the related data and information must be gathered and evaluated so that the whole decision-making process is improved. 

The first and foremost recommendation to the employees of National Health Services is to set a time limit. This is very necessary for the reason that when the decision needs to be taken on time then the employees will be working hard to take the proper and accurate decision. Thus, this time-boundation will help the employees of the National Health Service to work efficiently and attain the objectives well. 

With the above analysis, it is clear that effective decision-making needs to be present and undertaken for the working of the healthcare setting. This is necessary because when the decision-making is on time it will improve the efficiency of the business and ultimately it will result in better working and the attainment of the objectives (Perrotta and et.al, 2020). Thus, some of the recommendations and suggestions for improving the decision-making are as follows-

CONCLUSION

In the end, it is concluded that decision-making is a process which includes the evaluation of the different types of the alternatives and selection of the most appropriate. For taking any decisions there are different alternatives available and it is the responsibility of the person that they select the most appropriate alternative. The above study concluded that the major purpose of decision-making is to decide to attain any particular objective. Along with this it also inferred that evidence-based decision-making needs to be implemented so that it can be referred to in future as well. Moreover, it was highlighted that formal decision-making includes different kinds of stages whereas informal decision-making does not include any of the steps. Furthermore, the benefits of engaging individuals for decision-making was that it improves the productivity of the employees and as a result of this the overall efficiency is improved. In the end, it was concluded that there are different kinds of stakeholders like doctors, nurses and others with whom effective decisions need to be communicated. 

REFERENCES

Books and Journals 

• Boyd, C., Smith, C.D., Masoudi, F.A., Blaum, C.S., Dodson, J.A., Green, A.R., Kelley, A., Matlock, D., Ouellet, J., Rich, M.W. and Schoenborn, N.L., 2019. Decision making for older adults with multiple chronic conditions: executive summary for the American Geriatrics Society guiding principles on the care of older adults with multimorbidity. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 67(4), pp.665-673.
• Font, M.D., Thyagarajan, B. and Khanna, A.K., 2020. Sepsis and Septic Shock–Basics of diagnosis, pathophysiology and clinical decision making. Medical Clinics, 104(4), pp.573-585.
• Gong, N., Du, Q., Lou, H., Zhang, Y., Fang, H., Zhang, X., Wu, X., Meng, Y. and Zhang, M., 2021. Treatment decision-making for older adults with cancer: a qualitative study. Nursing ethics, 28(2), pp.242-252.
• Onofri, A., Broomfield, A. and Tan, H.L., 2020. Transition to adult care in children on long-term ventilation. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 8, p.548839.
• Perrotta, F., Corbi, G., Mazzeo, G., Boccia, M., Aronne, L., D’Agnano, V., Komici, K., Mazzarella, G., Parrella, R. and Bianco, A., 2020. COVID-19 and the elderly: insights into pathogenesis and clinical decision-making. Aging clinical and experimental research, 32, pp.1599-1608.
• Sokas, C.M., Hu, F. and Cooper, Z., 2021. Socially conscious surgical care must prioritize older adults. Surgery, 170(2), pp.635-636.
• Tinetti, M.E., Naik, A.D., Dindo, L., Costello, D.M., Esterson, J., Geda, M., Rosen, J., Hernandez-Bigos, K., Smith, C.D., Ouellet, G.M. and Kang, G., 2019. Association of patient priorities–aligned decision-making with patient outcomes and ambulatory health care burden among older adults with multiple chronic conditions: a nonrandomized clinical trial. JAMA internal medicine, 179(12), pp.1688-1697.
• Yuen, K.C., Biller, B.M., Radovick, S., Carmichael, J.D., Jasim, S., Pantalone, K.M. and Hoffman, A.R., 2019. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology guidelines for management of growth hormone deficiency in adults and patients transitioning from pediatric to adult care. Endocrine Practice, 25(11), pp.1191-1232.
• Zhang, X., Carabello, M., Hill, T., Bell, S.A., Stephenson, R. and Mahajan, P., 2020. Trends of racial/ethnic differences in emergency department care outcomes among adults in the United States from 2005 to 2016. Frontiers in medicine, 7, p.300.
• Online
• Evidence-based practice for effective decision-making. 2023. [Online]. Available through: < https://www.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/factsheets/evidence-based-practice-factsheet/ >

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