In the first step we analyse judgements and decisions with the approach of social judgement theory. This model describes how clinicians actually make judgements and decisions. Our areas of interests are judgements and decisions on prophylactic removal of mandibular third molars and on retreatment of previously endodontically treated teeth. In medicine we analyse specialists' treatment strategies on patients with symptoms from the gastro-intestinal tract. In the second step we implement decisions analysis.
Decision analysis is normative and describes how clinicians ought to make judgements and decision.
It decomposes the decisions and judgements into discrete components with the help of a decision tree so that optimal strategies can be selected. The patients' values are an issue that is increasingly stressed and is included in this analysis. In the third step, we are trying to improve the quality of actual judgements and decisions in health care in the areas as described above. The mandibular third molar. Dentists' judgement in the removal of asymptomatic molars.