A decision guide is a structured tool designed to help individuals identify a decision, systematically consider relevant information, clarify priorities, and plan subsequent steps. It facilitates a thorough evaluation of what is known about the decision at hand, ultimately enabling individuals to articulate their perspective and share it with others. While frequently used by healthcare professionals and decision coaches to assist patients in decision-making processes, it’s important to note that decision guides don’t always meet the stringent criteria established by the International Patient Decision Aid Standards (IPDAS) to be officially classified as patient decision aids. They are a more general framework for decision support.
The Ottawa Personal Decision Guide: A Leading Example
One prominent example of a decision guide is the Ottawa Personal Decision Guide. This two-page interactive PDF allows users to fill in their answers, save them, and print the completed guide using Adobe Reader. The Ottawa Personal Decision Guide is available in multiple languages including:
- English
- French
- Swedish
- Dutch
- Danish
- Norwegian
- Polish
- Canada – Indigenous
- Spanish
- German
- Japanese
- Mandarin Chinese
- Sinhala
- Icelandic
A variation, the “Ottawa Personal Decision Guide for Two,” facilitates collaborative decision-making by enabling two individuals involved in the decision to complete the guide together. It’s available in English, Danish, Japanese, French and Swedish.
Using the Ottawa Guides: The Ottawa Personal Decision Guides can be used without requesting permission and are freely available for use provided that:
- The reference is cited in any documents or publications
- They are not charged for or profited from
- They are not altered (except for prefilling them for a specific condition/decision)
Beyond the Ottawa Guide: Inspired Decision-Making Tools
The Ottawa Personal Decision Guide has served as inspiration for other decision-making tools, including:
-
My Care Companion Decision Aid: Developed by Queensland Health, Australia, this aid supports individuals with life-limiting conditions in having open conversations and making informed decisions about their treatment and care.
-
To get the care and services I need, should I stay in my home or move?: Created by N Briere, J Emond, M Garvelink, F Legare, and D Stacey at the Centre intègre universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale Quebec, Canada, this guide assists seniors in determining whether remaining at home or moving is the best option for receiving the necessary care and services. Instead of providing benefits/advantages and harms/disadvantages for options it asked users to add them.
Benefits of Using a Decision Guide
Decision guides offer several key advantages:
- Structured Thinking: They provide a framework for systematically analyzing the decision.
- Clarity of Values: They help individuals identify and prioritize what matters most to them.
- Improved Communication: They facilitate clear and effective communication about the decision with others.
- Empowerment: They empower individuals to take control of their decision-making process.
In conclusion, a decision guide is a valuable tool for navigating complex decisions by providing structure, promoting clarity, and facilitating effective communication. While the Ottawa Personal Decision Guide serves as a leading example, numerous other resources are available to support informed decision-making in various contexts.
