Medical Decisions
- 1 April 1980
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Scottish Medical Journal
- Vol. 25 (2) , 91-98
- https://doi.org/10.1177/003693308002500202
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.Keywords
This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:
- Costs of unnecessary tests.BMJ, 1979
- Problems of Medical DiagnosisMethods of Information in Medicine, 1978
- THE COST-BENEFIT APPROACHBritish Medical Bulletin, 1974