(affiliation)
The field of nursing continuously faces different day-to-day situations and challenges in the real world. The high level of nursing-patient relationship is vital towards success and proper health maintenance. Different factors, problems, and aspects such as nursing shortages, quality medical care, risks, patient outcomes, potential problems and the like play an important role in building a healthier society.
Organization executives and top stakeholders always make a plan that can bring benefits in the future. In real life, people find many ways on how they can find a solution to such troubles. Speaking of finding a good solution, one usually narrows down the possible choices. When finding a solution, one often resorts to researching for further guidance. The same situation also applies to the healthcare and nursing industry. In such industry, different specific problems also arise.
One specific problem is the lack of advanced equipment and nursing informatics. Everybody knows that technology is the reason on why the world is currently in a good position (from a business perspective). However, some countries are lacking the equipment needed for faster and much accurate findings. Without advanced equipment, it will be very difficult to manage, and sort medical records.
Nursing shortage is another kind of specific problem that the healthcare field is facing. Nursing shortage is defined as the proportion of low/diminishing number of nurses to the growing healthcare needs. Nursing shortage is an international problem. If the problem of shortage in nurses is exposed in a certain health care/hospital, how can a hospital be able to deal with the continuous influx of patients? Many factors and trends contribute to the shortage of nurses such as the aging workforce, low unemployment, and global nature of such shortage (Nevidjon and Erickson, 2001).
Poor patient outcome is another specific problem that nurses and physicians are currently facing. The factor of computer technology also plays an important role in this specific problem. Only six out of the 14 studies that evaluated the effects on patient outcomes documented a positive benefit. (Hunt, Haynes, Hanna and Smith, 1998). Poor patient outcome can be the possible effect of low class quality care, which gives a dent to the credibility of a nurse’s license, and the reliability of a certain hospital. Poor decision-making on the part of patient/nurse can bear different harmful effects.
Such major nursing problems mentioned may be inevitable, but it can either be contained or mitigated in a proper and professional way. Different medical institutions continuously test and undertake different nursing theories. Some theories are effective and successful, but some theories did not work according to plan. Decision making models would be the best possible theory to be incorporated for solving nursing concerns.
Why decision-making models and concurring processes are considered as possible solutions for nursing shortages and poor patient outcomes? Nursing shortages and poor patient outcomes are just like everyone’s daily situations and problems. To solve problems, one must not skip the step-by-step instructions.
Decision-making is the process of choosing the best and beneficial option from the other options possible. The process usually involves planning, establishing and prioritizing objectives, creating a clear timeframe, developing and evaluating actions, determining the problem, finding possible solutions, assessing other factors, and the like. Nursingplanet.com (2012) and Banning (2008) state that the different clinical decision making models are information-processing model, intuitive-humanistic model, and clinical-decision model. Such models mentioned require intrinsic nursing experience, constructive criticism, hypothetic-deductive quantitative approach, and pattern recognition and strong analytical skills.
In life, one is always faced with different challenges. Man can make decisions unconsciously, unintentionally, and abruptly, without knowing the possible consequences it can bear. To overcome such challenges, proper planning and decision-making will be the most important elements needed in overcoming a problem. Working prototypes and potential risks come hand in hand, so it is safe to say that problems are inevitable. To overcome and mitigate the problems mentioned in previous statements, one must know the art of planning. In addition, further understanding of the specific problem would be required for brainstorming purposes. Different scholarly articles offer solutions that help overcome problems.
Group decision making also helps in brainstorming discussions. Group decision is a process where everyone’s contributions, suggestions and ideas are considered. Nurses are considered as the heart of the healthcare field more than any other else. Akinci (n.d.) stressed that there is a necessity for the nursing community as a whole to get involved in better public relations and explain at a higher level the crucial role they play in the national health system.
The decision-making model theory works in so many ways. In fact, it is the easiest, conventional and the most practical approach towards problem solving. Every organization is supposed to resort to this kind of theory. To incorporate the theory mentioned, this must be taken as the first step before action. This theory can also be included in a process cycle, and such can be applied like the “trial and error” method.
Akinci, Ph.D., U. (n.d.). More nurses in decision making roles - prospects and challenges.
Retrieved from
http://www.nurserecruiter.com/articles/more_nurses_in_decision_making_roles.php
Decision making models. (n.d.). Nursing theories. Retrieved from
http://nursingplanet.com/theory/decision_making_models.html
Hunt, MD, D. L., Haynes, MD, PhD, R. B., Hanna, MA, PhD, S. E., & Smith, K. (1998). Effects
of computer-based clinical decision support systems on physician performance and
patient outcomes. Retrieved from
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=188081
Nevidjon, B., Erickson, J. (January 31, 2001). "The Nursing Shortage: Solutions for the Short
and Long Term". Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. Vol. 6 No. 1, Manuscript 4.
Retrieved from
www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume62001/No1Jan01/NursingShortageSolutions.aspx
