An Application of Decision Theory to a Medical Diagnosis-Treatment Problem
ResearchPublished 1968
A specific medical diagnostic-treatment problem, characterized as a sequential decision under uncertainty, is solved by decision-theoretic techniques. The basic assumption in the construction of the model is that the doctor wishes to choose the course of action that will maximize his and/or the patient's "satisfaction," i.e., to maximize expected utility of all possible actions and outcomes. Despite shortcomings of this particular analysis, especially in problems encountered in a more general setting, further research is encouraged in decision-theoretic techniques as an effective means of solving complex diagnostic-treatment problems facing physicians today.
Document Details
- Copyright: RAND Corporation
- Availability: Available
- Year: 1968
- Print Format: Paperback
- Paperback Pages: 27
- Paperback Price: $20.00
- Document Number: P-3786
Citation
RAND Style Manual
Chicago Manual of Style
Ginsberg, Allen S. and Fred L. Offensend, An Application of Decision Theory to a Medical Diagnosis-Treatment Problem, RAND Corporation, P-3786, 1968. As of September 15, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P3786.html
Ginsberg, Allen S. and Fred L. Offensend, An Application of Decision Theory to a Medical Diagnosis-Treatment Problem. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1968. https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P3786.html. Also available in print form.
This publication is part of the RAND paper series. The paper series was a product of RAND from 1948 to 2003 that captured speeches, memorials, and derivative research, usually prepared on authors' own time and meant to be the scholarly or scientific contribution of individual authors to their professional fields. Papers were less formal than reports and did not require rigorous peer review.
This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.
RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.