Are doctors risk takers?

Dvora Pikkel,1 Yael Sara Pikkel Igal,2 Adi Sharabi-Nov,3,4 Joseph Pikkel2,51Risk Management and Patient Safety Unit, Assuta Medical Center, Ramat Hahayal, Tel Aviv, 2Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, 3Research Wing, Ziv Medical Center, Safed, 4Tel-Hai Academic College, Upper Galilee, 5Depart...

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Main Authors: Pikkel D, Pikkel Igal YS, Sharabi-Nov A, Pikkel J
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2016-06-01
Series:Risk Management and Healthcare Policy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/are-doctors-risk-takers-peer-reviewed-article-RMHP
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author Pikkel D
Pikkel Igal YS
Sharabi-Nov A
Pikkel J
author_facet Pikkel D
Pikkel Igal YS
Sharabi-Nov A
Pikkel J
author_sort Pikkel D
collection DOAJ
description Dvora Pikkel,1 Yael Sara Pikkel Igal,2 Adi Sharabi-Nov,3,4 Joseph Pikkel2,51Risk Management and Patient Safety Unit, Assuta Medical Center, Ramat Hahayal, Tel Aviv, 2Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, 3Research Wing, Ziv Medical Center, Safed, 4Tel-Hai Academic College, Upper Galilee, 5Department of Ophthalmology, Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Israel Objective: Risk taking affects human behavior in general and decisions in medicine in particular. We used game theory to assess physicians' risk-taking tendencies. Methods: Physicians were recruited to the study by advertisement. It was explained that they would receive a sum of money for correct prediction of the flipping of a coin. They could try to sell their opportunity to flip the coin for an amount of money they determined. The sum offered by the participants was considered an indicator of risk taking. A demographic questionnaire assessed age, sex, seniority, and area of specialization of the participants. A multivariate analysis assessed associations between risk-taking behavior and, seniority, and specialization. Results: Sixty-two physicians participated, 36 males and 26 females, seniority 1–34 years. Of a possible range of 0–10, the mean score for risk taking was 5.5 – just slightly more than indifference. Negative correlations were found between risk taking and seniority, and between risk taking and age (β=–0.45, P<0.001 for both). Surgeons and anesthesiologists showed greater risk taking than did other physicians (β=0.69, P<0.05); and females less than males, though the latter correlation was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Understanding the tendency of physicians to risk taking may elucidate their decision-making processes and contribute to understanding of causes of adverse events and to the education of physicians. Keywords: risk taking, game theory, seniority, surgeons, anesthesiologists
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spelling doaj.art-65b12953e8ee4473a77a79286d9d154a2022-12-21T19:44:55ZengDove Medical PressRisk Management and Healthcare Policy1179-15942016-06-012016Issue 112913327498Are doctors risk takers?Pikkel DPikkel Igal YSSharabi-Nov APikkel JDvora Pikkel,1 Yael Sara Pikkel Igal,2 Adi Sharabi-Nov,3,4 Joseph Pikkel2,51Risk Management and Patient Safety Unit, Assuta Medical Center, Ramat Hahayal, Tel Aviv, 2Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, 3Research Wing, Ziv Medical Center, Safed, 4Tel-Hai Academic College, Upper Galilee, 5Department of Ophthalmology, Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Israel Objective: Risk taking affects human behavior in general and decisions in medicine in particular. We used game theory to assess physicians' risk-taking tendencies. Methods: Physicians were recruited to the study by advertisement. It was explained that they would receive a sum of money for correct prediction of the flipping of a coin. They could try to sell their opportunity to flip the coin for an amount of money they determined. The sum offered by the participants was considered an indicator of risk taking. A demographic questionnaire assessed age, sex, seniority, and area of specialization of the participants. A multivariate analysis assessed associations between risk-taking behavior and, seniority, and specialization. Results: Sixty-two physicians participated, 36 males and 26 females, seniority 1–34 years. Of a possible range of 0–10, the mean score for risk taking was 5.5 – just slightly more than indifference. Negative correlations were found between risk taking and seniority, and between risk taking and age (β=–0.45, P<0.001 for both). Surgeons and anesthesiologists showed greater risk taking than did other physicians (β=0.69, P<0.05); and females less than males, though the latter correlation was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Understanding the tendency of physicians to risk taking may elucidate their decision-making processes and contribute to understanding of causes of adverse events and to the education of physicians. Keywords: risk taking, game theory, seniority, surgeons, anesthesiologistshttps://www.dovepress.com/are-doctors-risk-takers-peer-reviewed-article-RMHPrisk takinggame theorysenioritysurgeonsanesthesiologists
spellingShingle Pikkel D
Pikkel Igal YS
Sharabi-Nov A
Pikkel J
Are doctors risk takers?
Risk Management and Healthcare Policy
risk taking
game theory
seniority
surgeons
anesthesiologists
title Are doctors risk takers?
title_full Are doctors risk takers?
title_fullStr Are doctors risk takers?
title_full_unstemmed Are doctors risk takers?
title_short Are doctors risk takers?
title_sort are doctors risk takers
topic risk taking
game theory
seniority
surgeons
anesthesiologists
url https://www.dovepress.com/are-doctors-risk-takers-peer-reviewed-article-RMHP
work_keys_str_mv AT pikkeld aredoctorsrisktakers
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