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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Geriatric Emergency Medicine | Research article

Conceptualizations of clinical decision-making: a scoping review in geriatric emergency medicine

Authors: Maria Louise Gamborg, Mimi Mehlsen, Charlotte Paltved, Gitte Tramm, Peter Musaeus

Published in: BMC Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Clinical decision-making (CDM) is an important competency for young doctors especially under complex and uncertain conditions in geriatric emergency medicine (GEM). However, research in this field is characterized by vague conceptualizations of CDM. To evolve and evaluate evidence-based knowledge of CDM, it is important to identify different definitions and their operationalizations in studies on GEM.

Objective

A scoping review of empirical articles was conducted to provide an overview of the documented evidence of findings and conceptualizations of CDM in GEM.

Methods

A detailed search for empirical studies focusing on CDM in a GEM setting was conducted in PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, EMBASE and Web of Science. In total, 52 publications were included in the analysis, utilizing a data extraction sheet, following the PRISMA guidelines. Reported outcomes were summarized.

Results

Four themes of operationalization of CDM emerged: CDM as dispositional decisions, CDM as cognition, CDM as a model, and CDM as clinical judgement. Study results and conclusions naturally differed according to how CDM was conceptualized. Thus, frailty-heuristics lead to biases in treatment of geriatric patients and the complexity of this patient group was seen as a challenge for young physicians engaging in CDM.

Conclusions

This scoping review summarizes how different studies in GEM use the term CDM. It provides an analysis of findings in GEM and call for more stringent definitions of CDM in future research, so that it might lead to better clinical practice.

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Title: Conceptualizations of clinical decision-making: a scoping review in geriatric emergency medicine
Authors: Maria Louise Gamborg
Mimi Mehlsen
Charlotte Paltved
Gitte Tramm
Peter Musaeus
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Geriatric Emergency Medicine
Published in: BMC Emergency Medicine / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-227X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-020-00367-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Conceptualizations of clinical decision-making: a scoping review in geriatric emergency medicine

Abstract

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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