Making decisions using research evidence?
Author: SCIRE Community Team | Reviewer: Janice Eng | Published: 24 April 2017 | Updated: 23 February 2024
On top of the conclusions drawn from evidence other factors like potential risks and your preferences also need to be taken into account when deciding on treatment options for your health. Some questions to ask yourself before making a decision with the evidence can include:
- Does this address your problem?
- Based on the potential risks and benefits, is this suitable for you? (make a pros and cons list!)
- Is this accessible for you? (finances, location, transportation)
- How will this impact your life? (work, school, activities)
- Do you have sufficient social, emotional, and physical supports? (family, friends, caregivers, other supports)
- What are your personal preferences/goals?
- What questions do you have?
- What are the next steps that need to be taken?
For a list of included studies, please see the Reference List. For a review of how we assess evidence and advice on making decisions, refer to the SCIRE Community Evidence.