Develop person-centred strategies to support people in assessing their options and identifying next steps.
Informed decision making is a way to engage patients, clients, and peers in their own care by working in partnership with them to identify the best course of action. It involves supporting people to consider the potential benefits and risks associated with their options, while factoring in their values and preferences. Training focuses on a conceptual understanding and structured approach to informed decision-making conversations.
Services
Resources
The BRAIN (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, Next Steps) app is based on our popular worksheet. The app and worksheet both are designed to help you to think about the Benefits, Risks, and Alternatives to a decision. Then they ask you what your gut or intuition says and it help you to clarify the next steps that make sense to you.
The app is available for apple devices in the apple app store by searching CCMI BRAIN or going here
and for android devices in the google play store by searching CCMI BRAIN or going here
Thanks to collaborators and practitioners who have assisted with the following worksheets for people to use to record their decisions.
BRAIN Decision Making Worksheet
One of the practical tools that we have developed is the BRAIN Decision Making Worksheet, adapted with permission from the International Childbirth Association.
Download the Brain Decision Making Worksheet here:
BRAIN Decision Making Worksheet (Health)
BRAIN Decision Making Worksheet (General)
Health and Wellness Advertising Claims Assessment Worksheet
Another practical tool that we have partnered to develop is a worksheet for assessing health and wellness advertisements.
Click here to download: Health and Wellness Advertising Claims: So, Is it Truthful?
This tool was developed collaboratively with input from the public and professionals. We thank everyone who reviewed drafts and provided valuable feedback, including:
- Plain Language Group of the South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Toronto, ON
The working group provided oversight and leadership:
- Bernie Garrett, Associate Professor, UBC School of Nursing, Vancouver, BC
- Elsie Petch, MHSc, Health Literacy Consultant, Toronto, ON
- Lea Elcombe, Facilitator of the Plain Language Group of the South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Toronto, ON
- Alifa Khan, Patient Advocate, Orangeville, ON
- Denielle Wiebe, Graphic Designer, CCMI, Quesnel, BC
- Connie Davis, Development Project Lead, CCMI, Hope BC
BRAIN (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, Next Steps) Decision Making Tool
As a patient or family member, it’s important to participate in health care decisions to the degree that you wish. One way to participate in decisions about your care is to use your BRAIN. This simple tool will help you guide a conversation with a health care team member so that you have the information you need to make informed decisions. CCMI is grateful to the patient partners who collaborated in developing this tool.
