Question

David, who has suffered from ALS for twenty years, is now hospitalized in a private religious hospital on a respirator. He spoke with his physician before he became incapacitated and asked that he be allowed to die if the suffering became too much for him. The physician agreed that, while he would not give David any drugs to assist a suicide, he would discontinue David’s respirator if asked to do so. David has now indicated through a prearranged code of blinking eye movements that he wants the respirator discontinued. David had signed his living will before he became ill, indicating that he did not want extraordinary means keeping him alive. The nursing staff has alerted the hospital administrator about the impending discontinuation of the respirator. The administrator tells the physician that this is against the hospital’s policy. She states that once a patient is placed on a respirator, the family must seek a court order to have him or her removed from this type of life support. In addition, it is against hospital policy to have any staff members present during such a procedure. After consulting with the family, the physician orders an ambulance to transport the patient back to his home, where the physician discontinues the life support.

ANALYZE THIS CASE STUDY USING THE  Seven-Step Decision Model

Answer 1

In seven steps of decision model there are 7 steps for taking a decision  

1. Identify/ recognize the problem- In this step we have to identify the actual problem. Here the physician identified the major problem of the patient. That is patient don't want additional suffering during terminal stages of illness.

2. The gather information- In this step you need to get all information regarding the decision. It maybe from previous cases or experiences of other personal or own.

3. Find out the alternative- In this steps, alternative for the problem should be considered. While considering that the solution should be proper. Here doctor effectively communicated with patient and relatives and took correct alternative.

4. Weighing the evidences - In this step all alternatives should be compared , studied various incidents and find out which one is good. Here physician considered long term and short term consequences of all alternatives.  

5.Choose among the alternatives - Choose the most acceptable alternative from various options. Here physician took suitable alternative from various options.

6. Take an action - This is important step , we have to take an action based on decision. Here physician took the action promptly by taking patient back home.

7. Review your decision - Review your decision means considering the after effects of that decision , this case physician effectively communicated with relatives of patient and reviewed his decision by considering the long term and short term effects.

Thus ,this is the 7 step decision model based on this care study.