Research on medical decision-making makes use of insights from economics and statistics to build quantitative models of clinical decisions. These models rely on assumptions about the use of information by decision-makers, including the core assumption that people process information in a narrowly logical manner. Recently, the psychology of decision-makers, including their emotional states, is being incorporated into these models to augment the role of cognition. Research on older adults differs importantly from other populations in a number of ways that may impact medical decision-making, especially the role of emotions. Pursuing work begun with his dissertation, William Dale, MD, PhD, will enhance his interdisciplinary training in geriatrics and public policy by focusing on a deeper understanding of emotions in medical decision-making in older adults. This research agenda initially utilizes the clinical model of prostate cancer, a widely prevalent disease in older men, and one in which the role of the emotion of anxiety may influence decision-making. Although no consensus exists on the """"""""right"""""""" clinical pathway for detecting and treating prostate cancer, there is wide agreement that patient preferences are vital for making choices. Initial investigations indicate the inclusion of anxiety in utility assessments for men with localized prostate cancer dramatically affect the cost-effectiveness ratios for treatments. Further research to assess the contribution of anxiety to utility assessments for these men is on-going. This study serves as a specific core example of the overall career goal of understanding the role of emotions in medical decision-making in older adults. Older adults care occurs in a complicated socio-medico-psychological context that demands sensitivity to the importance of issues such as functional impairments, multiple co-morbidities, polypharmacy, and care-giver burden. As a geriatrician, Dr. Dale is sensitive of including these concerns in pursuing his research. Enhancing his broad-based training in public policy studies and geriatrics with a targeted, in-depth understanding of psychology and medical decision-making under the expert guidance of his mentors, Dr. Dale will build the necessary expertise for a career researching the role of emotions in medical decisions for older adults.
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