Clinical Decision Making

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April 24, 2021

Clinical decision-making can be a continuous process in the medical field. It involves several methods so that a significant clinical decision can be made. Information has to be collected from multiple sources. The patient's history should be included to aid in coming up with a correct decision. The process of clinical decision-making has been divided into three different steps. The first is the diagnosis, assessing the severity of the condition and the last step is management. The three steps in decision-making are usually based on a physical examination of the patient and an adequately done history. Clinical decision-making can be difficult since a single condition can manifest in many signs and symptoms associated with many other diseases.

Diagnosis has majorly been centered on the use of blood samples to test for a particular condition and also to perform several tests. However, the diagnosis of these mental health disorders does not require those kinds of laboratory tests. However, the doctor may order some laboratory tests to help develop a diagnosis. The majorly used method in making a clinical decision for a psychiatric patient is by observing their physical behavior, a physical exam (Slade, 2017). The doctor may also ask about the family history of any form of mental illness to get a good patient background history, which will also help make the correct clinical decision. Borderline personality is also another mental condition that requires proper decision-making to establish the state. The patient manifests with intense anger, inappropriate physical fights, and paranoia.

While treating depression, I would use the psychotherapy theories to establish a clinical decision. The patient must portray some signs and symptoms of depression. The decision-making process is essential in processing the information. Some of the signs of depression that a patient has to display to establish a clinical decision include a depressed mood, poor decision making, lack of interest in things the patient once found interesting before. The bipolar disorder, some lab tests such as thyroid function tests and urinalysis can guide in making a clinical decision. Observing a person's behavior, that is, if they manifest with long periods of happiness and sudden mood changes. Restlessness and reduced mood can also be monitored.

Observing the physical behavior of patients with paranoia is the best method of clinical decision-making while treating a mental health condition. Some of the signs that guide to establish this decision are; the patient is easily offended, they become aggressive, defensive, and hostile. The patient cannot forgive or compromise with any slight mistake. Two significant signs indicate that a patient has schizophrenia. One of these signs is hallucinations or delusions. The second considerable sign is disorganized speech which also presents with diminished emotions. Clinical decision-making should entail a detailed interview to examine the patient's mental health. It should also have a psychological evaluation which is a complete questionnaire—discussing all the signs and symptoms that the patient has and medical history are critical in making clinical decisions for mental health treatment.

Reference

Slade, M. (2017). Implementing shared decision making in routine mental health care. World psychiatry, 16(2), 146-153.

Steffen, S. A., & Reid, C. J. (2017). Evidence-based practice in therapeutic recreation: An examination of clinical decision-making in mental health. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 51(1), 18.