You're faced with conflicting beliefs in your team. How do you prioritize a patient's best interests?

1 Understanding Bias

Every healthcare professional brings their own set of beliefs and biases to the table, which can affect decision-making. Recognize these biases in yourself and your colleagues. By acknowledging them, you can begin to work towards a more balanced approach that centers on the patient. Encourage open discussions where each team member can express their views and consider the patient's perspective. This helps to create a more inclusive environment where decisions are made based on the patient's needs rather than personal beliefs.

2 Patient Preferences

In the face of conflicting beliefs, it's essential to consider the patient's preferences and values. Engage in a dialogue with the patient, if possible, to understand their wishes and incorporate them into the care plan. This might involve discussing treatment options, potential outcomes, and respecting their autonomy. As a patient advocate, you play a critical role in ensuring that the patient's voice is not lost amid professional disagreements.

3 Ethical Considerations

Ethical principles such as beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice should guide healthcare decisions. When team members disagree, refer back to these ethical standards to determine the best course of action for the patient. It's important to weigh the benefits and risks of different options, respect the patient's right to self-determination, and ensure fair treatment. These principles can provide a common ground for team members to come together and prioritize the patient's best interests.

4 Collaborative Approach

Promote a collaborative approach within your team. This involves active listening, empathy, and a willingness to find common ground. A multidisciplinary team meeting can be an effective forum for discussing the patient's case and resolving differences. By working together, you can develop a care plan that reflects the expertise of various professionals while keeping the patient's best interests at the forefront.

5 Decision-Making Framework

Implementing a structured decision-making framework can help navigate conflicts. This might include steps such as gathering all relevant information, considering the patient's condition and prognosis, evaluating the evidence for different interventions, and assessing the potential impact on the patient. Such a framework ensures that decisions are made systematically and that all factors affecting the patient's well-being are considered.

6 Continuous Education

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?