Suggested assignment: An analysis of clinical decision making Guidance: students are to identify and record an anonymised patient care decision and produce a chronological transcript of this. The decision will then be analyzed. This should include the use of conceptual frame work to explain and examine the decision type, process, context, out come and participants and should specifically include examination of role of nurses in decision and their interactions in non-nurses while making the decision. The analysis should also include an examination of scope of decision making and nurses' decision authority. In addition the analysis must include the consideration of role of formal and informal records, the decision context and how it' shaped the process and subsequent decision made. Discuss the decision maker(s) and how their experience and knowledge shaped the decision process and outcome. The discussion section of the assignment should include a brief reflection on learning through having undertaken the analysis and should identify how this will inform their approach to clinical decision making process.
Word limit: 3000 words, excluding transcript. Suggested format of assignment
1. Title
2. Introduction
3. Clinical scenario and identification of decision chosen
4. A conceptual frame work - this needs to include the decision participants, decision process, decision outcome and decision context. Explain how the framework will be used to examine the chosen decision example.
5. Analysis of the decision, to include
• Decision process
• Formal and informal records
• Decision participants
• Decision outcome
• Decision context.
6. Discussion includes a reflection on learning drawn from the analysis and implications fro clinical practice.
7. Conclusion
8. Appendix - Transcript of chosen decision Russell Gurbut (2006) Nurses' Clinical Decision Making, Rad cliff publishing limited.