Lessons of mission discernment. The process renders decision making more participatory and transparent and produces better decisions, too.

Dr. Mane an is vice p resilien t, m issio n services and ethics, Trinity Health, Novi, MI. M ission discernment (also known as ethical discernment or ethical decision making) is emerging as one of the more encouraging recent developments in U.S. health care. Health care organizations have not only chosen a variety of names for the process, they have also introduced it into their structures ,\n>.\ operations in varying ways. The common focus, however, is on responsible decision making in light of the organization's mission and values.