The health care decision-making process framework.

Health care decision making is a process that includes definable steps in a desirable sequence. The process is universally relevant (i.e., it applies in all settings) and enduring (i.e., it has remained applicable over time and will continue to apply in the future). Physicians play an essential role in the health care decision-making process. Learning to follow desired approaches at each step (e.g., optimal approaches to defining DMC) facilitates and improves the quality and pertinence of physician participation. Generally, diligent adherence to the steps in this process is likely to yield the best possible results--they are consistent with patient needs and values while facilitating pertinent utilization of health care resources--under often challenging and imperfect circumstances. Thus, the health care decision-making process constitutes a key component of the improvement and reform of health care, which is currently under much critical scrutiny.