Decision-making in medical research, practice and education

Abstract

This PhD thesis explores decision-making in healthcare, encompassing medical research, practice, and education. It investigates how decisions are made in these contexts, the consequences of these choices, and how to improve decision-making processes using scientific evidence.<br/><br/>In the realm of medical research, the thesis examines how different research methods and decisions impact conclusions about treatment effectiveness and costs. It analyzes the optimal timing for drug approval for COVID-19 treatments, considering factors like recovery rates, hospitalizations, and potential side effects. It also explores methods to enhance research design, such as utilizing causal graphs to improve efficiency and transparency. Furthermore, the thesis investigates decision-making in the context of medical practice, specifically focusing on radiology. It evaluates the effectiveness of a computer program (ESR iGuide) in aiding doctors in making informed decisions about imaging procedures. The study highlights the importance of critical evaluation of new technologies and addresses the concerning observation of higher inappropriate imaging requests for women compared to men. Finally, the thesis examines cost-effectiveness in medical education, demonstrating that equally effective teaching methods can vary significantly in cost, and illustrates how strategies to promote future healthworker wellbeing can be both (cost-)effective and cost-saving. It emphasizes the need for future research to consider both costs and effectiveness when evaluating educational approaches.<br/><br/>This research underscores the critical importance of informed decision-making in healthcare. By investigating different decision-making approaches and their consequences, this thesis provides insights into improving healthcare outcomes across research, practice, and education.<br/><br/>

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