Models of Physician–Patient Relationship

Clinical decision making is the use of diverse strategies to generate and test potential solutions to problems that are presented by patients. It involves using, acquiring, and interpreting the indicators and then generating and evaluating hypotheses. Clinical decision making takes place within the context of the physician-patient relationship and thus is embedded within the consultation process. Indeed, even if the duration is brief, individuals involved in dyadic interactions can, and often do, influence each other's cognitions, emotions, and behaviors. Theories about decision making suggest that people do not have stable and preexisting beliefs about self-interest but construct them in the process of eliciting information. Therefore, the way information is provided by the health provider is crucial in assisting patients to construct preferences and then deciding ...