Bayesian methods for health-related decision making.

This article reviews the basics of Bayesian decision theory, and comments on its use in medical decision making. It emphasizes the subjectivity of the probability and utility inputs, and the desirability, in certain contexts, of representing several decision makers, each with his or her own probabilities and utilities. Applications and ethical considerations are also discussed. A brief bibliography gives pointers to the literature. Copyright 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.