The B.R.A.I.N. acronym for medical decisions

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B.R.A.I.N. acronym

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Doctors and medical providers have recommendations. You have options. If you’ve been presented with a recommendation that you’re not sure on, here is an acronym you can use to help you make a decision.
 
B.R.A.I.N.
 
B stands for benefits.
What benefits are there to what is being offered? If it’s a medication or intervention, why is it being recommended? If you decide yes on an issue, what are the potential benefits to going that route?
 
R stands for risks.
What are the risks of doing this? All medications have side effects and risks. Most interventions and some testing do as well. Is this relatively safe or does it come with considerable risk? It is important to weigh the risks against each other when weighing multiple options.
 
A stands for alternatives.
Are there any alternatives to this option?
 
I stands for information or intuition.
Do you need more information? What does your intuition tell you? 
 
N stands for nothing.
What happens if you do nothing?
 
I will also add mention of prayer in your decision-making process.  
 
You can apply this acronym to interventions and you can also apply this thought process to considering the route of no meds or treatment.
 
If your current situation is not an emergency, there should always be time for the patient to make a decision. Only the patient is the rightful decision-maker over what kind of care they receive. Even in an emergency, there should be communication from/with your healthcare team. If you feel you need it, you have the right to take time to think over the decision.


What are some situations you have used this in?