title: Medical decisions.
abstract: In relation to the application of decision theory to medical problems, a description is given of the terms 'probability', 'utility' and 'coherence'. The use of utilities is illustrated by comparing the outcomes of various methods of palliating terminal renal failure. The use of Bayes' theorem in incorporating additional information is described. Reference is made to specific clinical applications of mathematical methods. Some general comments are made on the way in which clinical and other medical decisions are reached.
mesh_terms: D001499:Bayes Theorem; D002102:Cadaver; D003657:Decision Making; D003662:Decision Theory; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D006296:Health Services / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D011336:Probability; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous