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Notes from the Election Road
UNDECIDED? THE DOCTOR IS IN: Voters unable to reach a satisfactory decision in time for the federal election might find an unlikely resource in an Ottawa health research website.
The Ottawa Personal Decision Guide, part of the Patient Decision Aids website, was initially designed to help patients make tough health decisions -- such as which treatment to favour when diagnosed with breast cancer.
"But the site also applies quite well to this election," according to Dr. Jamie Brehaut, an associate scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute who helped develop the tool.
Hailed as an effective and trustworthy option by various health journals across the globe, the Decision Aids website was created to help reach important decisions in difficult situations where multiple options exist.
"Exactly what is required for this election," noted Dr. Brehaut.
Located on the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Website under www.ohri.ca/decisionaid, the personal decision guide can be used in all types of difficult situations, said Dr. Brehaut, and especially so for this election.
"You are putting people into power that will be there for a long time," he said. "They may or may not hold your values. This tool also helps explain for yourself what your values are."