However, all these aspects of quality and their various components are not always compatible and their simultaneous improvement is a problem that sometimes has no obvious solution, which corresponds to a real issue for decision making.
When considering local evidence, it may be useful to differentiate between data (i.e. the raw product of measurements or observations) and information (i.e. data that are organised or analysed in relation to a specific question or issue and are therefore more useful for decision making [ 17]).
The problematic issue is that some proponents of the precautionary principle consider scientific information, although necessary and important, not to be the exclusive basis for decision making.
Offer opportunities for decision making.
The ability to differentiate between high and low risk patients has clear-cut clinical and therapeutic implications for decision-making on issues of patient management.
In order to shed light on these issues, we examined decision making for cardiovascular disease (CVD: the leading cause of death in the UK and worldwide [ 18]) as a case study.
Debatewise, a UK-based startup for decision-making around any issue, has gone into public beta.
Although seriously ill hospital patients want to discuss end-of-life issues, their preferred decision making role varies and is difficult to predict [ 25], highlighting the need for active and regular assessment of patients' decision making needs.
Therefore, determining whether involving a community-based approach is also more cost-effective would seem a relevant issue for policy- and decision making.
