The dilemma of decision making in the health context through a Shakespearian work

Abstract

Introduction: Among Shakespeare's works, the protagonist of the tragedy “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” presents himself as the first initiative that makes decisions based on logic and strategies, and for this reason, 2 moments were extracted from the play, to reflection of the decision-making dilemma. Objective: to understand the decision-making dilemma in the health context through the tragedy of Hamlet. Methodology: This is a narrative review, which is defined as the analysis of literature published in books, articles in printed and/or electronic journals, in the interpretation and personal critical analysis of the author. Results: In the context of the work, decision making can be defined as a selective intellectual judgment, when one is presented with several possibilities that may consist of several variables, and which can usually lead to the definition of a certain way of acting or of a idea. Likewise, in the context of health, making a decision refers to choosing between two or more demands presented, which make it possible to achieve a certain result that benefits the patient as a whole, a population or a certain class of health professionals. Conclusion: Therefore, based on the reflections that the work “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” allowed to carry out, it is possible to point out the importance of decision-making within the scope of health professionals and the multidisciplinary team with an appreciation of transdisciplinarity as a way to settle the dilemmas faced in the constant struggle between life and death.