Describe how you might use this decision aid inventory in your professional practice or personal life.

Give a one page description of the situation you experienced and explain how incorporating or not incorporating patient preferences, social determinants of healthLinks to an external site., and values impacted the outcome of their treatment plan. Be specific and provide examples. Then, explain how including patient preferences, social determinants of health, and values might impact the trajectory of the situation and how these were reflected in the treatment plan. Finally, explain the value of the patient decision aid you selected and how it might contribute to effective decision making, both in general and in the experience you described. Describe how you might use this decision aid inventory in your professional practice or personal life.
(Please Note: The underlined “social determinants of health” in the above content is meant to hotlink to the following Walden webpage and content:
Social Determinants of Health – Social Determinants of Health – Academic Guides at Walden Links to an external site.University)
ANSWER
Incorporating Patient Preferences, Social Determinants of Health, and Values into Treatment Plans
Introduction
Patient preferences, social determinants of health (SDOH), and values play a critical role in treatment outcomes. When providers incorporate these factors into treatment planning, patients are more likely to be satisfied with their care, adhere to their treatment plans, and experience better health outcomes.
However, many providers are not adequately trained in how to incorporate these factors into their practice. This can lead to disparities in care and poorer health outcomes for certain populations.
In this paper, I will describe a situation I experienced where not incorporating patient preferences, SDOH, and values impacted the outcome of a patient’s treatment plan. I will then explain how including these factors might have impacted the trajectory of the situation and how they could be reflected in the treatment plan. Finally, I will discuss the value of patient decision aids and how they can contribute to effective decision making.
Situation
I was a medical student on my internal medicine rotation when I met Ms. Smith, a 65-year-old woman with diabetes and heart failure. Ms. Smith was admitted to the hospital for decompensated heart failure.
She had a history of nonadherence to her medications and had been hospitalized for heart failure multiple times in the past.
During my initial assessment, I asked Ms. Smith about her goals for her care. She told me that she wanted to be able to go home and take care of herself. She also said that she was worried about the cost of her medications.
I reviewed Ms. Smith’s medication list and found that she was on several expensive medications. I also learned that she was living on a fixed income.
I discussed Ms. Smith’s concerns with her physician. We decided to start by reducing the number of medications she was taking and by switching to some less expensive generics. We also developed a plan to help her manage her medications at home.
Ms. Smith was discharged from the hospital after a few days. She was doing well at her follow-up appointments and was able to manage her medications at home.
Impact of Not Incorporating Patient Preferences, SDOH, and Values
In this case, the physician’s initial treatment plan did not adequately incorporate Ms. Smith’s preferences, SDOH, or values.
Ms. Smith had a history of nonadherence to her medications. This was likely due to the cost of her medications and her difficulty managing her medications at home.
The physician’s initial treatment plan did not address these issues. As a result, Ms. Smith was at high risk for readmission.
Impact of Including Patient Preferences, SDOH, and Values
If the physician had incorporated Ms. Smith’s preferences, SDOH, and values into the treatment plan, the trajectory of the situation might have been different.
The physician could have started by discussing Ms. Smith’s goals for her care. She could have then developed a plan that was tailored to Ms. Smith’s individual needs.
For example, the physician could have prescribed less expensive medications or generics. She could have also helped Ms. Smith to develop a plan for managing her medications at home.
By incorporating Ms. Smith’s preferences, SDOH, and values into the treatment plan, the physician could have improved her adherence to her medications and reduced her risk for readmission.
Reflection on the Treatment Plan
The physician’s revised treatment plan was a good example of how to incorporate patient preferences, SDOH, and values into care.
The physician started by discussing Ms. Smith’s goals for her care. She then developed a plan that was tailored to Ms. Smith’s individual needs. For example, the physician prescribed less expensive medications and helped Ms. Smith to develop a plan for managing her medications at home.
Value of Patient Decision Aids
Patient decision aids are tools that can help patients to make informed decisions about their care. They can be used to help patients understand their options, weigh the risks and benefits of each option, and make a decision that is right for them.
Patient decision aids can be particularly valuable for patients with complex medical conditions or who are facing multiple treatment options.
Conclusion
Incorporating patient preferences, SDOH, and values into treatment plans is essential for providing patient-centered care. When providers do this, patients are more likely to be satisfied with their care, adhere to their treatment plans, and experience better health outcomes.
Patient decision aids can be a valuable tool for helping patients to make informed decisions about their care. They can be particularly useful for patients with complex medical conditions or who are facing multiple treatment options.
How I Might Use Patient Decision Aid Inventory in My Professional Practice or Personal Life
I plan to use the patient decision aid inventory in my professional practice by providing patients with access to