Clinical decision making: from theory to practice. Anatomy of a decision

Eddy describes the two main steps that make up the "anatomy" of a decision, the first a largely fact-based analysis of the estimated outcomes of various care plans, and the second a more personal and subjective comparison of the desirability of the outcome of each option.

Abstract

Eddy argues that the quality of medical care is determined mainly by\nthe quality of the decisions that determine what that care will be and the\nquality with which that care is executed. While the medical profession\nunderstands the importance of ensuring quality of execution, it has not taken\nsteps to develop and evaluate quality decision making. Eddy describes the two\nmain steps that make up the "anatomy" of a decision, the first a largely\nfact-based analysis of the estimated outcomes of various care plans, and the\nsecond a more personal and subjective comparison of the desirability of the\noutcome of each option. Eddy also identifies the "pathology" of decisions\nresulting from misperceptions about outcomes of care options, or about the\nvalues that patients place upon those outcomes. He identifies three\nprinciples that, if attended to, should enable physicians to achieve the goal\nof improving patient outcomes. (KIE abstract)