Path Dependence in Medical Decision-Making: A Behavioral Economics Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70088/857pxq31Keywords:
path dependence, behavioral economics, medical decision-making, healthcare efficiencyAbstract
Path dependence in clinical decision-making-the tendency of physicians and patients to adhere to established yet often inefficient decision patterns-represents a critical barrier to healthcare system optimization. Through a behavioral economics framework, this article analyzes how cognitive biases and misaligned incentives create self-reinforcing, suboptimal equilibria in medical practice. We propose a structured intervention approach that progresses from choice architecture redesign to incentive realignment and systemic reform. Evidence indicates these behavioral-informed strategies can significantly improve decision quality and resource allocation, offering a practical pathway toward more adaptive healthcare systems.References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Fuyong Lu (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
