American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of the PREPARE model in clinical practice?

1. To guide emergency responses

2. To assist in patient education

3. To facilitate ethical decision-making

4. To support chronic disease management

The correct answer is: To facilitate ethical decision-making

The PREPARE model is specifically designed to facilitate ethical decision-making in clinical practice, particularly in contexts that involve complex medical decisions and care planning. Its primary goal is to provide a structured framework that healthcare providers can use to engage patients, families, and caregivers in discussions about care preferences, especially in situations where patients may face life-altering or end-of-life decisions. By incorporating patients' values, goals, and wishes into the healthcare decision-making process, the PREPARE model helps ensure that care is aligned with what the patient truly desires. The model emphasizes the importance of effective communication and shared decision-making, allowing clinicians to better understand the individual needs of their patients and respect their autonomy. In contrast, other options present different focuses that do not align with the primary intent of the PREPARE model. For instance, while patient education is crucial in healthcare, it is not the primary function of the PREPARE model. Similarly, although the model can indirectly support chronic disease management by aligning treatment with patient values, that is not its main aim, nor is its purpose to guide emergency responses, which require a different set of protocols and frameworks.