Factors influencing clinical decision making

Conclusion 98 Research in clinical reasoning has focused strongly on the cognitive aspects of the processes involved. This chapter reports on research that examined the context of and factors influencing clinical decision making. Clinical decision making is both an outcome and a component of clinical reasoning. Given its pivotal place in the practice of health professionals, it is imperative to identify and understand factors that positively or negatively influence decision making. Of particular interest, when considering the quality of health care, are situations when factors influencing decision making contribute to errors or mistakes, with potential adverse outcomes for receivers of health care, or when factors influencing decision making can enhance healthcare experiences or outcomes.