Risk rate neglect in decisions involving invasive diagnostic procedures.
To investigate whether the risk of life-threatening complications influence the decisions involving invasive diagnostic procedures, a study was conducted that focused on the use of coronary angiography and endomyocardial biopsy with risk rates of either 1% or 2%. The participants included 38 physicians from two university-affiliated hospitals. Of their 76 pairs of decisions, 53% were of the "risk-avoidance" type and 26% were of the "risk-taking" type. Only 13% of decisions were of the "risk-conscious" type. The practical implication of these biases can be substantial in real-life decisions regarding events with low-probability, but high-consequence risks.
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D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000175:diagnosis; D000790:Angiocardiography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004630:Emergencies; D004699:Endocardium / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D012309:Risk-Taking