Playing Doctor
Generally when we go to the doctor we don’t intend to be playing games, yet game theory can be an integral part the doctor-patient interaction. In this article, the author goes to the doctor for his first check-up as an adult. The doctor recommends that the author start taking pills (that he should take indefinitely) and get a blood test. The author wonders if this is really the best advice for him as a patient. As a patient the author shouldn’t really have to wonder about whether or not this is in his best interest, after all isn’t it the doctor’s job to look out for the health of the patient? The author isn’t certain based on the economics of the medical community.
He compares the doctor-patient interaction to the Prisoner’s Dilemma where it is best for the patient to follow the doctors advice even though it may not be the best possible outcome, but given the risks it becomes best.
More generally the payoff matrix for doctor-patient interactions can be modeled using patient health and doctor wealth as payoffs. Ideally the two would work congruently; the option that gives the patient the best outcome also gives the doctor the greatest payoff. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. A more risky surgery for the patient may result in larger economic gain for the doctor. Should the doctor recommend a less risky treatment, such as a lifestyle change, the patient’s benefits can be better but the gain of the doctor is zero, especially if the treatment works well.
So how can this system be optimized for both parties?
The author suggest changing the game. Why not make patient outcome a determining factor in the payoff of the doctor? This adds incentive for the doctor to prescribe what is actually best for the patient. Additionally, the author suggests that there needs to be an incentive for the patient to follow the doctor’s advice. If both these conditions are met following advice, and giving good advice will be best responses to each other and the ideal medical situation can be achieved. If only it were that simple.
http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2009/08/18/how-to-improve-health-care-using-game-theory-the-prisoners-dilemma/#.Vh2mCvlViko