The DTAs (Decision tree assignment) are based on interactive case studies that allow you to explore pharmaceutical options and make decisions centered on the client’s needs.  For each DTA, you will be asked to make three decisions concerning the medication to prescribe to a client in the assigned case study.  At each decision point, you must carefully evaluate all three options before clicking on your decision and moving throughout the rest of the exercise.  
The rationale for your decisions must be supported with a minimum of five academic resources from the primary and secondary literature. While you may use the course text to support your rationale, it will not count toward the resource requirement.

Instructions for Decision Tree Assignments

I
ntroduction to the case (1 page)

· You must briefly summarize the case in your own words.

· You must also highlight the specific patient factors that will impact your decision making when prescribing medication for this patient. To clearly identify patient-specific factors, please begin your sentence with, “The patient-specific factors I will consider as I make my decisions are…”  Beginning your sentence with this phrase will help me recognize it and will ensure that you get credit for it.  You will not get credit for simply mentioning patient-specific factors within your case summary; they must be clearly identified and revisited.

· Please note that background information on the diagnosis, diagnostic criteria, diagnostic testing, or epidemiology is NOT required.  It is assumed that you know this; therefore, you should devote yourself to summarizing the case and highlighting specific patient factors that will impact your decisions rather than discussing the aforementioned items.  After all, you only have one page (or less) to cover the required information.

· Be aware that the writing template and grading rubric require your introduction to end with ONE sentence that is your thesis statement.  See the writing template for format and the grading rubric for details on how you are graded on this statement.

Body of your document

· The body of your document should contain three sections that are labeled as follows:  decision point 1, decision point 2, and decision point 3.  Each section should be one page and address the topics below.  In your writing, you should be concise, clear, and thorough.  Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and specific patient factors must be considered in your writing in order to get full credit.

Decision Point 1 (1 page)

·

· Which decision did you select?

· Why did you select this decision? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.

· Why did you not select the other two options provided in the exercise? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.

· What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources (including the primary literature).

· Explain how ethical considerations may impact your treatment plan and communication with patients. Be specific and provide examples. *In order to receive full credit here, your ethical considerations must be clearly identified as such.  You can identify them in one of two ways:  (1)  You can identify them within each “decision” section.  For example, “My ethical considerations are….”  (2)  Or you can identify them separately in a new section labeled “Ethical Considerations.”  This new section should be inserted after the section entitled Decision Point 3 and before the Conclusion section.  Either one of these options is acceptable.

Decision Point 2 (1 page)

·

· Why did you select this decision? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.

· Why did you not select the other two options provided in the exercise? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.

· What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources (including the primary literature).

· Explain how ethical considerations may impact your treatment plan and communication with patients. Be specific and provide examples.  *See Decision #1 for more information.

Decision Point 3 (1 page)

·

· Why did you select this decision? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.

· Why did you not select the other two options provided in the exercise? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.

· What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources (including the primary literature).

· Explain how ethical considerations may impact your treatment plan and communication with patients. Be specific and provide examples.  *See Decision #1 for more information.

Conclusion (1 page)

· Summarize your recommendations on the treatment options you selected for this patient. As stated in the writing template, “The conclusion section should recap the major points of your paper. Do not introduce new information in this paragraph.”