Medical Decision Making: A View Point

Rakesh Mittal, MD, PhD

President

Northside Hospital Medical Staff

As healthcare providers, we are entrusted with making difficult decisions that can have a profound impact on the lives of our patients. Medical decision making is a extremely complex process that requires careful consideration of all available information, as well as an understanding of our patients' unique needs and circumstances.

At our hospital, we are committed to providing the highest quality of care, and this means making evidence-based decisions that are rooted in sound medical principles. We recognize that there are many factors that can influence medical decision making, including ethical considerations, patient preferences, and resource availability. Our goal is to balance all of these factors in a way that promotes the best possible outcomes for our patients. One should be very careful about what the term “evidence based” and “guidelines” mean since both are rapidly changing with changing information and may be irrelevant in the context of the patient being treated because of the multitude of variables faced. No two patients are alike and so the decision making process gets even more challenging.

To achieve this goal, we must work collaboratively as a team, drawing on the expertise and insights of all members of the healthcare team with frequent discussions, whether we agree or disagree. Patients get the best care when team members and caregivers collaborate and communicate. We must also stay up-to-date with the latest advances in medical research and technology, so that we can provide the most effective treatments and interventions. At times it’s not a bad idea to do individualized patient care in more complex patients. One treatment fits all does not always work and knocking at the same door and expecting a different result does not either.

Finally, we must never forget the human element of medical decision making. We must always remember that our patients are individuals with unique needs and circumstances, and we must treat them with compassion and empathy at all times.

In conclusion, medical decision making is a vital part of the work that we do as healthcare providers. Let us continue to work collaboratively, stay informed, and remain compassionate in all of our interactions with patients. By doing so, we can provide the highest quality of care and make a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.