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[Probabilities for individual patients: misconceptions about uncertainty and the role of statistical models in medical decision making].

Authors: Harm-Jan, de Grooth; Ewout W, Steyerberg;

[Probabilities for individual patients: misconceptions about uncertainty and the role of statistical models in medical decision making].

Abstract

Interpreting probability in the context of individual patients remains conceptually difficult. The common interpretation is that a 5% probability means 5 out of 100 similar patients will experience the event. This is suspect to many: what does this say about a unique individual, here and now, given that no two patients are truly identical? Based on an exploration of philosophical and statistical perspectives, we address two misconceptions: that individual probabilities can be objectively true, and, inversely, that they are necessarily arbitrary and therefore meaningless. We argue that good predictions are rational, conditional estimates of uncertain patient outcomes, based on a specified reference class. As such, estimated predictions must be critically evaluated through clinical expertise. Clinical judgments, in turn, must be constrained by empirical data. A clearer common understanding of the limitations of modeling and estimating probabilities influences how we use AI, structure clinical reasoning, and inform patients about uncertain outcomes.

Keywords

Models, Statistical, Clinical Decision-Making, Decision Making, Uncertainty, Humans, Probability

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
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