How behavioral finance can be used in medicine

While I was reading an issue of New England Journal of Medicine, I came across an interesting perspective article. Usually, I skip these articles and focus on clinical studies, images in medicine and review articles that usually have higher yield information that I can apply to help care for my patients. However, Dr. Jerry Avorn’s article, “The Psychology of Clinical Decision Making- Implications for Medication Use,” caught my attention. Essentially, he discusses how a lot of clinical decision making in medical education is based on the assumption that both clinicians and patients “behave rationally” meaning that with appropriate information they will make decisions that maximize health benefits and minimize risk of harm. However, my clinical experience has shown me, often on a daily basis, that both patients and clinicians act irrationally. A relevant example would be the treatment of influenza. A lot of patients are hesitant to get the flu shot but will call my office for oseltamivir (Tamiflu) after the first cough, sneeze or runny nose despite what most clinicians consider to be overwhelming evidence that the vaccine is significantly more effective than Tamiflu. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Conditions Infectious Disease Primary Care Source Type: blogs