Nursing’s professional knowledge base creates opportunities to actively participate in the political process of health policy formation. Understanding how legislators make individual decisions can be a critical component of nursing’s successful efforts in influencing health policy formation. This study used the qualitative method of phenomenology in interviewing four Vermont state legislators in the spring of 2000 who were members of either the House or Senate Health and Welfare committees. The purpose of the study was to formulate a phenomenological description of the essential structure of individual decision making in health policy as perceived by state legislators. The participants were asked to reflect on their experience of personal decision making on issues of health policy. Data analysis allowed the emergence of three essential elements that make up the essential structure of individual legislative decision making. The three elements are described as 1) Understanding the issue,which was described via the themes of listening and learning about the issue, 2) Shaping a personal stand, which was described as critically evaluating the issue to form a personal opinion, and 3) Weighing for action, which was revealed through themes of evaluating alternatives to determine which strategies to consider and pursue. The participants described certain influences which affect their decision making, that are grouped into eight categories: prominence of the issue, values, constituents, life experience, source of information, respected colleague, time, and political process. See N/A
Learning Objectives: 1. The workshop participant will be able to articulate the essential elements of individual legislative decision making as described in this research study. 2. The workshop participant will be able to apply the findings of this research to approaching legislators when advocating for specific health issues.
Keywords: Decision-Making, Public Policy
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: N/A
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.