Reference: Farr, B. R. Decision-Theoretic Evaluation of Therapy Plans. Washington D.C., 1989.
Abstract: Medical decision-support systems that make recommendations for action require a mechanism for comparing the available alternatives. In developing a computer-based system to provide ventilator-setting recommendations, the decision-theoretic concept of a multiattribute value model was used to rank potential plans. The possible treatment plans represent a continuum of choice rather than several discrete options. The method of ranking must be able to differentiate among these continuous options, and be efficient enough to be used in a real-time setting. The decision-theoretic approach described here meets these requirements, and also makes explicit the criteria for selecting plans.