Biomedical subjects

R M Hamm

Publications and source records attributed to R M Hamm.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Micro-effects of language on risk perception in drug prescribing behavior.

The decision to prescribe neuroleptics for the treatment of psychosis involves a potentially tragic choice between, on the one hand, a probability of psychosis and a probability of side effects, such as tardive dyskinesia, on the other. In an experimental paradigm, we examined this decision process. We hypothesized that linguistic factors considered irrelevant under classical formulations of individual choice behavior would have a significant effect on this decision. All subjects were presented with a case vignette involving a potentially psychotic patient. Subjects were then asked what probability of tardive dyskinesia they would either "accept" or "risk" in order to prevent psychotic decompensation. In addition this factor was crossed with a contextual factor that varied the patient's age. The effect of "risk" versus "accept" language was evident in significantly different patterns of decision making across age groups. The data have important implications for clinical decision making, the elicitation of informed consent, and the directions that the courts have taken in malpractice and patient's rights cases.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Medical and judicial perceptions of the risks associated with use of antipsychotic medication.

To determine whether occupational perspective influences the decision to prescribe antipsychotic medications, we presented a group of psychiatrists and judges with a hypothetical case involving a potentially psychotic patient. The subjects were asked what probability of drug-induced tardive dyskinesia they would accept in order to prevent psychotic decompensation. The subjects were then asked to estimate the actual probability that tardive dyskinesia would occur if the patient received antipsychotic medications. From the responses to these questions we inferred their treatment decisions. Although the psychiatrists and judges agreed on an acceptable level of risk, they differed significantly in their estimates of the actual risk involved and, by inference, their decisions concerning treatment. Our findings have several implications for adjudication of cases involving treatment decisions and the right to refuse treatment.

Antipsychotic Agents↗

PubMed1979

Decision analysis.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Decision Making↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Medical maxims: two views of science.

Clinicians are beings with finite minds and thus need to use simplified models of the world in making decisions [1]. However, these models need not be oversimplified, as are the models encouraged by the prevalent view of science, the Mechanistic Paradigm, which are articulated as rigid maxims. A more current view of science, the Probabilistic paradigm, encourages more complex models, which can be articulated as the more flexible maxims used with insight by the wise clinician.

Models, Biological↗