title: Multicriteria decision analysis in oncology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There has been a growing interest in the development and application of alternative decision-making frameworks within health care, including multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA). Even though the literature includes several reviews on MCDA methods, applications of MCDA in oncology are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this paper is to discuss a rationale for the use of MCDA in oncology. In this context, the following research question emerged: How can MCDA be used to develop a clinical decision support tool in oncology?
  
  
  METHODS
  In this paper, a brief background on decision making is presented, followed by an overview of MCDA methods and process. The paper discusses some applications of MCDA, proposes research opportunities in the context of oncology and presents an illustrative example of how MCDA can be applied to oncology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Decisions in oncology involve trade-offs between possible benefits and harms. MCDA can help analyse trade-off preferences. A wide range of MCDA methods exist. Each method has its strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the appropriate method varies depending on the source and nature of information used to inform decision making. The literature review identified eight studies. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was the most often used method in the identified studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, MCDA appears to be a promising tool that can be used to assist clinical decision making in oncology. Nonetheless, field testing is desirable before MCDA becomes an established decision-making tool in this field.
authors.affiliation: Division of Economic, Social and Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Adunlin
authors.affiliation: Division of Economic, Social and Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Vakaramoko
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Diaby
authors.affiliation: Cleveland Clinic, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Alberto J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Montero
authors.affiliation: Division of Economic, Social and Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology
keywords: decision making; multicriteria decision analysis; multidisciplinary team; oncology