Therapeutic decision making of physicians.
In this review the therapeutic decision-making process of physicians is described. This process is divided into two steps: the generation of a limited set of possible options (the 'evoked set') and the selection from this evoked set of a treatment for a specific patient. Factors that are important in both steps are reviewed. Behavioural and decision-making theories in general and decision-making analysis of physicians in particular are discussed to identify possible shortcomings in their decision-making process. Based on this information a model of the drug choice process is presented. With reference to this model possible ways of influencing drug choices of physicians are discussed.
Denig
P
P
Department of Health Sciences/Northern Centre for Healthcare Research, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Haaijer-Ruskamp
F M
FM
D003657:Decision Making; D004358:Drug Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010820:Physicians