Task uncertainty and rationality in medical problem solving

• ISSUE: Medical problem-solving situations are characterized by various degrees of 'task uncertainty'--i.e. uncertainty related to the definition of a problem, the effect of a technology, the value of a solution, and so on. The need for professional discretion varies and depends on the degree of perceived task uncertainty. SUGGESTED SOLUTION: In this report it is argued that, in order to obtain rationality in problem-solving processes, differences in the degree of task uncertainty need to be met by variation in the structure of the health care organization. IMPLICATIONS: The main implications of this view are that (under norms of rationality) problem-solving processes with low task uncertainty must be organized in one way and processes with high task uncertainty in another. Furthermore, processes with high and low task uncertainty also need to be evaluated according to different standards. Some hypotheses regarding the different organizational requirements are presented.

Subject headings

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskaper -- Hälso- och sjukvårdsorganisation, hälsopolitik och hälsoekonomi (hsv//swe)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

clinical pathways

effectiveness

evidence-based medicine

organizational performance

problem solving

quality of care

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)