Informal use of decision theory to improve radiological patient management.
Six radiologists reviewed 50 urograms to determine whether arteriography or needle aspiration should be recommended for evaluation of a space-occupying renal lesion. In addition to their usual decision methods, they were encouraged to think about the problem from a decision theory viewpoint. No computations were required. It was found that even informal, non-numerical application of decision theory resulted in improved outcomes; further improvement was noted with explicit use of numerical methods.
D000792:Angiography / Q000191:economics; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D052177:Kidney Diseases, Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging