Clinical Decision Modeling as an Effective Technology for Achieving Best Practice Standards for Treatment Intensity

Decision modeling is often used as an additional support system in conjunction with clinical and professional expertise to analyze and assess variables related to choice and decision-making across a variety of professions, fields, and systems. Effective decision modeling employs a systematic approach to isolate, quantify, and qualify individual choice points to develop or refine a current system of practice or recommendation by integrating professional literature, evidence-based practices, policy and procedures, standards of care, federal and state law, and ethical guidelines where applicable. While the process of decision modeling has had minimal utilization in behavior analytic application and practice, clinical decision modeling can be an effective and efficient system for the development of consistent treatment intensity amounts. Utilizing objective data-based input allows for the development of, and guidance for, treatment intensity amounts. Clinicians, funding sources, and consumers of behavior analytic services will benefit from the development and utilization of clinical decision modeling focused on treatment intensity built from the standards of care in behavior analysis. This article outlines specific systems, variables, and clinical structure that may be used in the design and implementation of clinical decision modeling surrounding treatment intensity practices that can be utilized in conjunction with expert clinical judgment and training.