In life we are all faced with having to make decisions. For people who are living with chronic health conditions, this can be very challenging because we have to make these decisions during times of uncertainty. Therefore, developing good decision-making skills is another self-management tool.
Here are the steps to help us make decisions:
- Identify the options (For example: someone is trying to decide whether or not to start a new medication or whether to take a trip)
- Write down the ‘PROs’ and ‘CONs’ for each option (list as many reasons for and against each option as you can. Don’t forget emotional reasons, such as fear of side effects, or fear of traveling away from your regular health care team)
- Give a score to each statement from 1 being not important to 5 being very important (to you)
- Add each column and compare the results to find the higher score
- Ask yourself how this meets the “gut test” (E.g. Does taking the new medication feel “right” to you? If so, you probably have a decision. If not, the gut test should probably win out over the numbers.)
Example of Decision to Be Made:
“Should I take the new medication”
| Pros | Score
(1-5) |
Cons | Score
(1-5) |
| It might make me feel better | 5 | There may be side effects I don’t like | 3 |
| It could help prevent complications | 4 | It costs too much. I may not be able to afford it | 3 |
| I might be able to do more | 3 | It may not work | 2 |
| It is another pill to take | 1 | ||
| Pros total | 12 | Cons Total | 9 |
The “Pros” total is greater than the “Cons”
Decision result is: To start the new medication
Ask the question: “Does this meet the ‘gut test’? – answer is Yes
The decision-making technique is an important tool in our self-management tool box. If you still have a decision that you’d like to make, you may include it in your Action Plan for the week.