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. 2015 Jun 11;16:41. doi: 10.1186/s12910-015-0034-8

Table 2.

Cross-tabulation illustrating a model of the decision-making axes upon which clinical information was weighted to make decisions

Decision-making axes Description
Risks, burdens and benefits Comparison and weighting of the different treatment options and interventions by their potential effectiveness, dangers, outcomes and side-effects.
Treatment goals The intended outcome, either specific to a particular treatment/interventions, place (institution/home) for future care for the patient or the overall intended outcome.
Normative ethical values A balancing of actions in terms of ethical value. Actions in terms of their utilitarian value, i.e., increasing patient well-being and/or longevity; and deontological value, i.e., it was a ‘good’ course of action regardless of outcome.
Interested parties Discussions incorporated the views of all involved stakeholders, which could include: the patient or their previous wishes, clinical team, relatives, etc.