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Heuristics: foundations for a novel approach to medical decision making

Internal and Emergency Medicine volume 10, pages 195–203 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Medical decision-making is a complex process that often takes place during uncertainty, that is, when knowledge, time, and resources are limited. How can we ensure good decisions? We present research on heuristics—simple rules of thumb—and discuss how medical decision-making can benefit from these tools. We challenge the common view that heuristics are only second-best solutions by showing that they can be more accur ate, faster, and easier to apply in comparison to more complex strategies. Using the example of fast-and-frugal decision trees, we illustrate how heuristics can be studied and implemented in the medical context. Finally, we suggest how a heuristic-friendly culture supports the study and application of heuristics as complementary strategies to existing decision rules.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Anita Todd for editing the paper. We thank Giovanni Casazza and Giorgio Costantino for providing valuable feedback along the whole process of writing this manuscript.

Conflict of interest

None.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Harding Center for Risk Literacy, Berlin, Germany

    Nicolai Bodemer

  2. Center for Adaptive Behavior and Cognition, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195, Berlin, Germany

    Nicolai Bodemer & Konstantinos V. Katsikopoulos

  3. School of Psychology, Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK

    Yaniv Hanoch

Authors
  1. Nicolai Bodemer
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  2. Yaniv Hanoch
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  3. Konstantinos V. Katsikopoulos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicolai Bodemer.

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Bodemer, N., Hanoch, Y. & Katsikopoulos, K.V. Heuristics: foundations for a novel approach to medical decision making. Intern Emerg Med 10, 195–203 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-014-1143-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-014-1143-y

Keywords

  • Medical decision making
  • Heuristics
  • Rules of thumb
  • Decision tools
  • Bounded rationality