Clinical decision-making styles of home healthcare nurses

Using grounded theory method, this study of 21 home health nurses describes three clinical decision-making styles: skimming, surveying, and sleuthing. Experienced home health care nurses switch from one style to another when managing varying patient care situations. This study provides a broad view of clinical decision-making by integrating the context of nursing practice with the patients' clinical status, nurse-patient interaction, and nurses' knowledge and experience.