Decision analysis in orthopaedics.

Abstract

Orthopaedic surgeons are faced with an ever-growing amount of clinical information from which they are required to make treatment decisions. Many of these decisions can be approached with relative certainty. However, there are many situations where the optimal decision is less clear. These treatment decisions will have competing risks, benefits, or costs. Decision analysis is one method to critically evaluate alternative treatment options with multiple potential outcomes. This method of decision making can be extremely valuable because of the growing number of treatment alternatives, and to the ever-increasing complexity of medical scenarios.