title: Game theory: applications for surgeons and the operating room environment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Game theory is an economic system of strategic behavior, often referred to as the "theory of social situations." Very little has been written in the medical literature about game theory or its applications, yet the practice of surgery and the operating room environment clearly involves multiple social situations with both cooperative and non-cooperative behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive review was performed of the medical literature on game theory and its medical applications. Definitive resources on the subject were also examined and applied to surgery and the operating room whenever possible.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Applications of game theory and its proposed dilemmas abound in the practicing surgeon's world, especially in the operating room environment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The surgeon with a basic understanding of game theory principles is better prepared for understanding and navigating the complex Operating Room system and optimizing cooperative behaviors for the benefit all stakeholders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA. dmcfadden@uchc.edu
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: McFadden
authors.forename: Mitchell
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Bassam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kadry
authors.forename: Wiley W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Souba
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005716:Game Theory; D006801:Humans; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000523:psychology*