The impact of COVID‐19 on Australian clinicians' decision making in line with the principles of Choosing Wisely

Abstract

Abstract Aim To explore the perspectives of clinicians' decision‐making processes and considerations in line with the Choosing Wisely principles during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Design An exploratory qualitative approach was used. Methods Data were collected via semi‐structured interviews to encourage participants to discuss their own experience in making clinical decisions during the COVID‐19 pandemic. A total of 12 clinicians from across disciplines were interviewed to reach data saturation. Interview data were analysed considering the Choosing Wisely principles. Results Five main themes as they relate to clinician decision‐making emerged and included; prioritizing care and treatment, uncertainty regarding best practice as a result of rapidly changing guidelines, organizational challenges to clinical decision‐making, the use of telehealth and enabling consumer engagement with health services. Conclusion Despite the disruption caused by COVID‐19, clinicians were mindful of necessary care and worked to ensure that core care was not compromised during the first wave of the pandemic. The need for clinicians to protect both their own safety and that of their colleagues arose as an additional factor that influenced clinicians' decision‐making process during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Keywords

• Choosing Wisely
• shared decision making
• clinician decision making
• COVID‐19
• interview
• nursing practice