Predicting preferences: a neglected aspect of shared decision-making.

Area of Science:

• Decision-making science
• Behavioral economics
• Health psychology

Background:

• Shared decision-making (SDM) is a priority in patient-doctor treatment choices.
• Existing SDM literature focuses on patient preferences but lacks integration with behavioral science on preference prediction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To bridge the gap between SDM and behavioral research on self-prediction of future preferences.
• To review psychological factors influencing inaccurate future preference predictions.
• To propose empirical questions for enhancing SDM.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of behavioral research on preference prediction.
• Analysis of psychological theories explaining prediction errors.
• Synthesis of findings to inform SDM practices.

Main Results:

• Behavioral research indicates individuals frequently mispredict their future preferences and feelings.
• Psychological biases and heuristics contribute to these mispredictions.
• Understanding these mispredictions is crucial for effective SDM.

Conclusions:

• Integrating insights from behavioral science can significantly improve SDM.
• Addressing systematic errors in preference prediction can enhance patient-doctor communication.
• Further research is needed to refine SDM procedures based on these findings.