Medicine in words and numbers: a cross-sectional survey comparing probability assessment scales.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In the complex domain of medical decision making, reasoning under uncertainty can benefit from supporting tools. Automated decision support tools often build upon mathematical models, such as Bayesian networks. These networks require probabilities which often have to be assessed by experts in the domain of application. Probability response scales can be used to support the assessment process. We compare assessments obtained with different types of response scale.

Methods

General practitioners (GPs) gave assessments on and preferences for three different probability response scales: a numerical scale, a scale with only verbal labels, and a combined verbal-numerical scale we had designed ourselves. Standard analyses of variance were performed.

Results

No diff

SUBMITTER: Witteman CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1903351 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature