VIGNETTE-BASED DECISION POINT ANALYSIS (VDPA): A NOVEL METHOD OF EXPLORING PERSON-CENTERED CONTEXTUAL INFLUENCES ON CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 151
Author(s):  
Sisira Dharmaratne ◽  
Husna Razee ◽  
Gominda Ponnamperuma ◽  
Kosala Marambe ◽  
Andrew Dawson ◽  
...  

Rationale and aims: Contextual factors are increasingly recognized as having a significant influence on clinical-decision-making. Contextual influences however, are considered ‘less scientific’ or ‘non-clinical’ in the eyes of practicing clinicians, making it a sensitive issue for discussion.  Therefore, exploring these contextual influences can be challenging. Methods which can circumvent this challenge are required to evaluate clinical decision making at natural settings. This paper reports on the development of an innovative research method to address this challenge of exploring contextual influences and similar sensitive and complex clinical practice issues.  Method: The researchers conducted a field research to test an interview based method which was termed as ‘Clinician Recalled Vignette (CRV) Method’. Based on reflections on the field research experience this preliminary method was refined to develop an innovative method which is potentially capable of eliciting sensitive and complex clinical practice issues. Results: Reflections on field test data provided preliminary evidence on the usefulness of the CRV method and limitations. The method that was refined, in response to limitations, focused on key decision points relevant to the clinical vignettes recalled by clinicians, and included a mechanism to identify how contextual factors influence these key decision points. This innovative method was termed ‘Vignette-based Decision Point Analysis’. Conclusions: The innovative method discussed in this paper will assist other researchers in conceptualising and conducting research projects to explore sensitive and complex clinical practice issues in natural settings. 

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 88-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen Anne Jersby ◽  
Paul Van-Schaik ◽  
Stephen Green ◽  
Lili Nacheva-Skopalik

BackgroundHigh-Fidelity Simulation (HFS) has great potential to improve decision-making in clinical practice. Previous studies have found HFS promotes self-confidence, but its effectiveness in clinical practice has not been established. The aim of this research is to establish if HFS facilitates learning that informs decision-making skills in clinical practice using MultipleCriteria DecisionMaking Theory (MCDMT).MethodsThe sample was 2nd year undergraduate pre-registration adult nursing students.MCDMT was used to measure the students’ experience of HFS and how it developed their clinical decision-making skills. MCDMT requires characteristic measurements which for the learning experience were based on five factors that underpin successful learning, and for clinical decision-making, an analytical framework was used. The study used a repeated-measures design to take two measurements: the first one after the first simulation experience and the second one after clinical placement. Baseline measurements were obtained from academics. Data were analysed using the MCDMT tool.ResultsAfter their initial exposure to simulation learning, students reported that HFS provides a high-quality learning experience (87%) and supports all aspects of clinical decision-making (85%). Following clinical practice, the level of support for clinical decision-making remained at 85%, suggesting that students believe HFS promotes transferability of knowledge to the practice setting.ConclusionOverall, students report a high level of support for learning and developing clinical decision-making skills from HFS. However, there are no comparative data available from classroom teaching of similar content so it cannot be established if these results are due to HFS alone.


Author(s):  
Rikke Torenholt ◽  
Henriette Langstrup

In both popular and academic discussions of the use of algorithms in clinical practice, narratives often draw on the decisive potentialities of algorithms and come with the belief that algorithms will substantially transform healthcare. We suggest that this approach is associated with a logic of disruption. However, we argue that in clinical practice alongside this logic, another and less recognised logic exists, namely that of continuation: here the use of algorithms constitutes part of an established practice. Applying these logics as our analytical framing, we set out to explore how algorithms for clinical decision-making are enacted by political stakeholders, healthcare professionals, and patients, and in doing so, study how the legitimacy of delegating to an algorithm is negotiated and obtained. Empirically we draw on ethnographic fieldwork carried out in relation to attempts in Denmark to develop and implement Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) tools – involving algorithmic sorting – in clinical practice. We follow the work within two disease areas: heart rehabilitation and breast cancer follow-up care. We show how at the political level, algorithms constitute tools for disrupting inefficient work and unsystematic patient involvement, whereas closer to the clinical practice, algorithms constitute a continuation of standardised and evidence-based diagnostic procedures and a continuation of the physicians’ expertise and authority. We argue that the co-existence of the two logics have implications as both provide a push towards the use of algorithms and how a logic of continuation may divert attention away from new issues introduced with automated digital decision-support systems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117954682095341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd C Villines ◽  
Mark J Cziraky ◽  
Alpesh N Amin

Real-world evidence (RWE) provides a potential rich source of additional information to the body of data available from randomized clinical trials (RCTs), but there is a need to understand the strengths and limitations of RWE before it can be applied to clinical practice. To gain insight into current thinking in clinical decision making and utility of different data sources, a representative sampling of US cardiologists selected from the current, active Fellows of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) were surveyed to evaluate their perceptions of findings from RCTs and RWE studies and their application in clinical practice. The survey was conducted online via the ACC web portal between 12 July and 11 August 2017. Of the 548 active ACC Fellows invited as panel members, 173 completed the survey (32% response), most of whom were board certified in general cardiology (n = 119, 69%) or interventional cardiology (n = 40, 23%). The survey results indicated a wide range of familiarity with and utilization of RWE amongst cardiologists. Most cardiologists were familiar with RWE and considered RWE in clinical practice at least some of the time. However, a significant minority of survey respondents had rarely or never applied RWE learnings in their clinical practice, and many did not feel confident in the results of RWE other than registry data. These survey findings suggest that additional education on how to assess and interpret RWE could help physicians to integrate data and learnings from RCTs and RWE to best guide clinical decision making.


CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S106-S106
Author(s):  
C. Dmitriew ◽  
R. Ohle

Introduction: Acute aortic syndrome (AAS) is an uncommon, life-threatening emergency that is frequently misdiagnosed. The Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis of AAS were developed in order to reduce the frequency of misdiagnoses and number of diagnostic tests. As part of the guidelines, a clinical decision aid was developed in order to facilitate clinician decision-making based on practice recommendations. The objective of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators among physicians to implementation of the decision aid. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with emergency room physicians working at 5 sites distributed between urban academic and rural settings. We used purposive sampling, contacting ED physicians until data saturation was reached. Interview questions were designed to understand potential barriers and facilitators affecting the probability of decision aid uptake and accurate application of the tool. Two independent raters coded interview transcripts using an integrative approach to theme identification, combining an inductive approach to identification of themes within an organizing framework (Theoretical Domains Framework), discrepancies in coding were resolved through discussion until consensus was reached. Results: A majority of interviewees anticipated that the decision aid would support clinical decision making and risk stratification while reducing resource use and missed diagnoses. Facilitators identified included validation and publication of the guidelines as well as adoption by peers. Barriers to implementation and application of the tool included the fact that the use of D-dimer and knowledge of the rationale for its use in the investigation of AAS were not widespread. Furthermore, scoring components were, at times, out of alignment with clinician practices and understanding of risk factors. The complexity of the decision aid was also identified as a potential barrier to accurate use. Conclusion: Physicians were amenable to using the AAS decision aid to support clinical decision-making and to reduce resource use, particularly within rural contexts. Key barriers identified included the complexity of scoring and inclusion criteria, and the variable acceptance of D-dimer among clinicians. These barriers should be addressed prior to implementation of the decision aid during validation studies of the clinical practice guidelines.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 296-296
Author(s):  
David Lorente ◽  
Praful Ravi ◽  
Niven Mehra ◽  
Carmel Jo Pezaro ◽  
Aurelius Gabriel Omlin ◽  
...  

296 Background: Increased availability of treatment options in CRPC requires improved biomarkers to optimize decision making for therapeutic sequencing. Despite evidence for the value of CTCs in assessing prognosis and response to treatment, their use in clinical practice is not widely implemented. Clinicians rely on PCWG2 criteria based on PSA, clinical and radiological criteria although these are only inconsistently used in clinical practice. We evaluated the trends for clinical decision-making by physicians treating CRPC. Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed to physicians treating PC from the UK, Switzerland and Australia. Questions on clinical practice, familiarity with progression criteria, use of CTCs and clinical-decision making were formulated. Results: 111 participants replied. Most (84.7%) were oncologists treating ≥ 50 patients per year (65.3%). Although only 39.6% usually used PCWG2 in clinical practice, 74.5% considered PSA, bone scans and CT to be useful for monitoring disease. 55.6% considered PSA to be an important biomarker. A minority were able to identify PSA (41.4%) and bone scan (39.4%) progression criteria by PCWG2. On average, more physicians discontinued cabazitaxel (28%) than docetaxel (10.4%) before cycle 4. Similar number of cycles were given to bone only disease compared to RECIST evaluable patients. Clinical progression was most important for switching treatment for most physicians (90.5%), followed by RECIST (71.6%), bone scan (47.7%), CTC (23.2%) and PSA (21.1%). The main challenge associated with the use of CTCs was the access to technology (84.7%). Most respondents (92%) would not stop therapy with rising PSA but falling CTC counts; most (88.8%) would not stop with declining PSA but rising CTCs. Although 50% acknowledged the prognostic value of CTCs, only 33% would use them to guide decision-making. Conclusions: A significant number of physicians discontinue treatment before 12 weeks. Most physicians rely on clinical progression for decision-making. Knowledge of PCWG2 response and progression criteria is generally suboptimal. Greater physician awareness, access to technology and further evidence and will be required for the implementation of CTCs as a routine biomarker in CRPC.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 432-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Maharmeh

Purpose The aim of this study was to describe Jordanian critical care nurses’ experiences of autonomy in their clinical practice. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive correlational design was applied using a self-reported cross-sectional survey. A total of 110 registered nurses who met the eligibility criteria participated in this study. The data were collected by a structured questionnaire. Findings A majority of critical care nurses were autonomous in their decision-making and participation in decisions to take action in their clinical settings. Also, they were independent to develop their own knowledge. The study identified that their autonomy in action and acquired knowledge were influenced by a number of factors such as gender and area of practice. Practical implications Nurse’s autonomy could be increased if nurses are made aware of the current level of autonomy and explore new ways to increase empowerment. This could be offered through classroom lectures that concentrate on the concept of autonomy and its implication in practice. Nurses should demonstrate autonomous nursing care at the same time in the clinical practice. This could be done through collaboration between educators and clinical practice to help merge theory to practice. Originality/value Critical care nurses were more autonomous in action and knowledge base. This may negatively affect the quality of patient care and nurses’ job satisfaction. Therefore, improving nurses’ clinical decision-making autonomy could be done by the support of both hospital administrators and nurses themselves.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Hirsch ◽  
Maria Barthel ◽  
Pauline Aarts ◽  
Yi-An Chen ◽  
Susanna Freivogel ◽  
...  

AbstractThe discrepancy between residual functional capacity and reduced use of the contralesional hand, frequently observed after a brain lesion, has been termed Learned Non-Use (LNU) and is thought to depend on the interaction of neuronal mechanisms during recovery and learning-dependent mechanisms such as negative reinforcement. Despite the generally accepted existence of the LNU phenomenon among clinicians and researchers, no unequivocal and transdisciplinary definition exists to date. Furthermore, although therapeutic approaches are implemented in clinical practice to explicitly target LNU, no standardized diagnostic routine is described in the current literature.Based on a structured group communication following the Delphi method among clinical and scientific experts in the field of LNU, knowledge from both, the work with patient populations and with animal models, was synthesized and integrated to reach consensus regarding a transdisciplinary definition of the LNU phenomenon. Furthermore, the mode and strategy of the diagnostic process, as well as the sources of information and outcome parameters relevant for the clinical decision making, were described with a wide range showing the current lack of a consistent universal diagnostic approach. Building on these results, the need for the development of a structured diagnostic procedure and its implementation into clinical practice is emphasized. Moreover, it exists a striking gap between the prevailing hypotheses regarding the mechanisms underlying the LNU phenomenon and the actual evidence. Therefore, basic research is needed to bridge between bedside and bench and eventually improve clinical decision making and further development of interventional strategies beyond the field of stroke rehabilitation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Ayah A Al-Asmar ◽  
Ahmad S Al-Hiyasat ◽  
Motasum Abu-Awwad ◽  
Hakam N Mousa ◽  
Nesreen A Salim ◽  
...  

Objectives. The worldwide interest of both dentists and patients in esthetic dentistry has affected decision-making in dental practice. The aim of this study was to investigate contemporary dental practice in restorative dentistry and the relationship between evidence-based dentistry in caries research and decision-making in clinical practice in restorative dentistry. Methods. The study was conducted through a structured questionnaire distributed randomly at the Jordanian Dental Association registered dentists in Jordan. The questionnaire aimed to clarify the degree of knowledge and practice of evidence-based dentistry in caries research the dentists hold regarding clinical decision-making in restorative dentistry. Results. The majority of the surveyed dentists (77%) treat teeth with irreversible pulpitis with root canal treatment rather than vital pulp therapy. 13.8% routinely insert a post and 23% routinely crown the tooth after root canal treatment regardless of the remaining tooth structure. Badly damaged teeth are treated with full crowns in 72% of the cases. Regarding Hollywood smile or smile makeover, the majority of dentists choose conservative approaches, and implants were the first choice to replace missing teeth for 93.8% of the surveyed dentists. Conclusion. A higher degree of implementation of evidence-based dentistry in clinical decision-making was found in Prosthetic Dentistry than in Endodontics. Yet, the gap between evidence-based data and clinical practice needs bridging. More emphasis on communicating these data to educators to integrate them into the dental curriculum is a must.


2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (1 suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 513-524
Author(s):  
Álisson Oliveira dos Santos ◽  
Alexandre Sztajnberg ◽  
Tales Mota Machado ◽  
Daniel Magalhães Nobre ◽  
Adriano Neves de Paula e Souza ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The medical education for clinical decision-making has undergone changes in recent years. Previously supported by printed material, problem solving in clinical practice has recently been aided by digital tools known as summaries platforms. Doctors and medical students have been using such tools from questions found in practice scenarios. These platforms have the advantage of high-quality, evidence-based and always up-to-date content. Its popularization was mainly due to the rise of the internet use and, more recently, of mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones, facilitating their use in clinical practice. Despite this platform is widely available, the most of them actually present several access barriers as costs, foreign language and not be able to Brazilian epidemiology. A free national platform of evidence-based medical summaries was proposed, using the crowdsourcing concept to resolve those barriers. Furthermore, concepts of gamification and content evaluation were implemented. Also, there is the possibility of evaluation by the users, who assigns note for each content created. The platform was built with modern technological tools and made available for web and mobile application. After development, an evaluation process was conducted by researchers to attest to the valid of content, usability, and user satisfying. Consolidated questionnaires and evaluation tools by the literature were applied. The process of developing the digital platform fostered interdisciplinarity, from the involvement of medical and information technology professionals. The work also allowed the reflection on the innovative educational processes, in which the learning from real life problems and the construction of knowledge in a collaborative way are integrated. The assessment results suggest that platform can be real alternative form the evidence-based medical decision-making.


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