Résumé : | Background:Clinical reasoning and decision making within health care are as importantas ever in a world where evidence-based health care and patient outcomes are highlyvalued. It is increasingly recognized that decisions are not made in isolation, and areinfluenced by many factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic. Expert and novice practitionersshare reasoning techniques, and there are many interpretations of reasoning paradigmswithin the field of health care.Methods:A reflective diary was kept for 3 months linking personal reflections on aparticular clinical decision with theoretical learning on clinical reasoning. Severaldecision-making paradigms were looked at in relation to the decision, with a deeperfocus on narrative reasoning. Narrative reasoning resonated particularly with theauthor’s previous experience studying literature.Results:The clinical decision was usefully analyzed using a narrative reasoningstrategy. The decision made by the author was perhaps contrary to the evidence, and yethad a positive outcome. The positive outcome of the decision was looked at within thecontext of evidence-based practice and ethical practice.Conclusions:Narrative reasoning comes from within the interpretive research modeland puts the patient’s experience at the heart of decision making. Narrative reasoningcan be a valuable way of combining diagnostic, management, and ethical aspects ofcare. Further research—particularly in podiatry, where research is lacking—couldidentify helpful reasoning strategies for care of patients with long-term chronic conditionsor complex conditions |