Define and discuss problem solving and decision-making
Problem solving
• Comprehensive, sequential, cognitive process used to solve a problem by reducing the difference between current and desired conditions
• Closing the gap between “what is” and “what should be”
• Process that purposefully & constantly re-evaluates
Decision-making
• Process that chooses a preferred option or a course of actions from among a set of alternatives on the basis of given criteria or strategies
• Cognitive process leading to the selection of a course of action among alternatives
Identify and apply the steps in the decision making process
- Define the problem
- Gather data
- Analyze data
- Develop solutions
- Select solutions
- Implement solutions
- Evaluate result
Describe strategies for effective decision-making
- Nominal group activity (nonverbal aspect)
• Time consuming
• Everyone writes out idea
• Presentation of ideas on flip charts
• Discussion and clarification of ideas
• Private vote
• Solution is the highest ranked idea by greatest number of the group - Delphi
• Involves questionnaire responses not in person
• Collecting opinions via questionnaire
• Responses tabulated, analyzed and summarized
• Disseminated back to group until consensus is reached
• Can be effective with a large group and generates many ideas - Consensus building
• An opinion or position reached by a group as a whole
• Not a stepped procedure
• Coming to a solution that is acceptable
• Not a decision with total agreement by all members however all members need to accept/commit to the decision
• Advantage
o All members participate
• Disadvantage
o Time consuming
• Reserve this strategy for important decisions that participants will have to live/work with - Groupthink
• Goal is to have opinions and decisions valued by 100% of the group
• Group questioning or ideas are discouraged
• Requires a strong leader to encourage all members to think independently
• Opinions are collected by the leader.
• Time allocated to allow members to gather data and reflect
• Disadvantage
o Hinders creativity
Describe advantages and disadvantages to participative decision-making
Advantages
• Improves quality of decision by having group involvement
• More ideas generated by a group than individual
• Decisions are more accepted and committed to by participants
• Implementation is easier if individuals are involved in the process
Disadvantages
• Requires more time.
• Unequal power among group members
• Dominant personalities may influence unduly
• Focus is on the group versus the task
• Socializing and camaraderie can slow down the process
Describe the relationship between communication and leadership
- Leadership is the act or an instance of leading
- Needs to demonstrate facilitative leadership
- Communication is a tool/skill utilized in & essential for effective leadership
- Effective communication and transparency in leadership builds trust within a group
- A leader is necessary in a group to assist movement towards a goal (a cheerleader)
- Leadership involves a person, a group and goals
Distinguish between formal and informal channels of communication
Formal • Downward – top down • Upward • Horizontal/lateral • Diagonal Informal • Grapevine o Ingrained o Co-exists with formal lines o Info distorted 75% o Affects morale o Rapid and influential
Differentiate between intradisciplinary, interdisciplinary and organizational communication
Intradisciplinary
• Networking, support and collaboration within a discipline
o Nursing – PCC, RN, LPN
Interdisciplinary
• Networking, support and collaboration across disciplines
o Nursing, physio, SW, physician
Organizational
• Established communication within and outside an orgnaization
critical thinking
- Mode of thinking about any subject, content, or problem in which the thinker improves the quality of their thinking
- Contextual process of thinking ahead, thinking in action and thinking back
- Necessary to make decisions or solve problems
- Allows for thinking outside the box
clinical judgement
- Assists us to anticipate or prevent problems
- An interpretation or conclusion about a patient’s needs, concerns, or health problems
- A series of decisions
- Often a result of a problem but not always
factors influencing decision-making
• Intrinsic factors o Personal Perception and preference o Knowledge and experience o Competence o Self-confidence o Stress • Extrinsic factors o Organizational climate and culture o Patient autonomy o Legislation and regulation
pitfalls to effective decision-making
- Making decision on first available information
- Not wanting to ‘rock the boat’
- Justification for previous decisions
- Ignoring evidence that differs from opinion
- Presenting with a bias or leading question
- Inaccurately determining probabilities to solutions
team vs group decision
- Not all groups become a team
- Groups are individuals who have an interdependent relationship
- Team members share ownership of purpose
conditions that influence decision-making
- Responsibility for the decision
- Comfort level in making decisions
- Adequate info or degree of information which followers have access to or are entitled to have
- Commitment value/acceptance priority
phases of group development
• Forming o Group awareness • Storming o Tension/conflict arises • Norming o Cohesiveness established • Performing o Progress being made • Adjourning o Reflection, evaluation, closure
group leadership
- Imposed leadership
• A leader is formally designated or appointed by a person, group or organization - Emergent leadership
• A leader is informally chosen
• The group recognizes an individual’s ability or level of influence & selects him or her
personalities within a group
1. Criticizer • Finds fault 2. Passive • Will not take a stand 3. Detailer • Focused on facts/narrow focus 4. Controller • Monopolize the discussion 5. Pleaser • Will not oppose • Very agreeable
