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Nuckols TK, Chen PG, Shetty KD, Brara HS, Anand N, Qureshi N, Skaggs DL, Doctor JN, Pevnick JM, Mannion AF. Surgical appropriateness nudges: Developing behavioral science nudges to integrate appropriateness criteria into the decision making of spine surgeons. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300475. [PMID: 38640131 PMCID: PMC11029649 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substantial variation exists in surgeon decision making. In response, multiple specialty societies have established criteria for the appropriate use of spine surgery. Yet few strategies exist to facilitate routine use of appropriateness criteria by surgeons. Behavioral science nudges are increasingly used to enhance decision making by clinicians. We sought to design "surgical appropriateness nudges" to support routine use of appropriateness criteria for degenerative lumbar scoliosis and spondylolisthesis. METHODS The work reflected Stage I of the NIH Stage Model for Behavioral Intervention Development and involved an iterative, multi-method approach, emphasizing qualitative methods. Study sites included two large referral centers for spine surgery. We recruited spine surgeons from both sites for two rounds of focus groups. To produce preliminary nudge prototypes, we examined sources of variation in surgeon decision making (Focus Group 1) and synthesized existing knowledge of appropriateness criteria, behavioral science nudge frameworks, electronic tools, and the surgical workflow. We refined nudge prototypes via feedback from content experts, site leaders, and spine surgeons (Focus Group 2). Concurrently, we collected data on surgical practices and outcomes at study sites. We pilot tested the refined nudge prototypes among spine surgeons, and surveyed them about nudge applicability, acceptability, and feasibility (scale 1-5, 5 = strongly agree). RESULTS Fifteen surgeons participated in focus groups, giving substantive input and feedback on nudge design. Refined nudge prototypes included: individualized surgeon score cards (frameworks: descriptive social norms/peer comparison/feedback), online calculators embedded in the EHR (decision aid/mapping), a multispecialty case conference (injunctive norms/social influence), and a preoperative check (reminders/ salience of information/ accountable justification). Two nudges (score cards, preop checks) incorporated data on surgeon practices and outcomes. Six surgeons pilot tested the refined nudges, and five completed the survey (83%). The overall mean score was 4.0 (standard deviation [SD] 0.5), with scores of 3.9 (SD 0.5) for applicability, 4.1 (SD 0.5) for acceptability, and 4.0 (SD 0.5), for feasibility. Conferences had the highest scores 4.3 (SD 0.6) and calculators the lowest 3.9 (SD 0.4). CONCLUSIONS Behavioral science nudges might be a promising strategy for facilitating incorporation of appropriateness criteria into the surgical workflow of spine surgeons. Future stages in intervention development will test whether these surgical appropriateness nudges can be implemented in practice and influence surgical decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teryl K. Nuckols
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States of America
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Peggy G. Chen
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Harsimran S. Brara
- Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Neel Anand
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Nabeel Qureshi
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States of America
| | - David L. Skaggs
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Jason N. Doctor
- Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Joshua M. Pevnick
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
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Zucchelli MM, Gambetti E, Giusberti F, Nori R. Use of default option nudge and individual differences in everyday life decisions. Cogn Process 2024; 25:75-88. [PMID: 37740853 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-023-01161-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
People often make inefficient decisions for themselves and the community (e.g. they underuse medical screenings or vaccines and they do not vote) also because of their individual characteristics, such as their level of avoidance or anxiety. In recent years, governments have successfully applied strategies, called "nudges", to help people maximizing their decisions in several fields; however, the role of individual characteristics has been poorly explored. The present study investigated whether one kind of nudge, the default option (automatic enrolment in a specific plan), can modulate the influence of such individual differences, promoting favourable decisions in different field, such as the medical and civic ones. One hundred and eighty-three participants completed the Trait Anxiety Inventory, the General Decision-Making Styles Inventory and scenarios about health and civic decisions. Participants have hypothetically been enrolled by default or not enrolled in specific plans and had to decide whether adhere or not to the plan proposed. Result showed that the default option drives anxious and avoidant individuals, who usually refuse to make a choice due to their overestimation of negative events' occurrence, to undergo medical screenings and vaccine and to vote more. Nudge confirmed its effectiveness in favouring better decisions among people according to their individual differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela Maria Zucchelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Elisa Gambetti
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fiorella Giusberti
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Raffaella Nori
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127, Bologna, Italy
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Sajid IM, Frost K, Paul AK. 'Diagnostic downshift': clinical and system consequences of extrapolating secondary care testing tactics to primary care. BMJ Evid Based Med 2022; 27:141-148. [PMID: 34099498 DOI: 10.1136/bmjebm-2020-111629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Numerous drivers push specialist diagnostic approaches down to primary care ('diagnostic downshift'), intuitively welcomed by clinicians and patients. However, primary care's different population and processes result in under-recognised, unintended consequences. Testing performs poorer in primary care, with indication creep due to earlier, more undifferentiated presentation and reduced accuracy due to spectrum bias and the 'false-positive paradox'. In low-prevalence settings, tests without near-100% specificity have their useful yield eclipsed by greater incidental or false-positive findings. Ensuing cascades and multiplier effects can generate clinician workload, patient anxiety, further low-value tests, referrals, treatments and a potentially nocebic population 'disease' burden of unclear benefit. Increased diagnostics earlier in pathways can burden patients and stretch general practice (GP) workloads, inducing downstream service utilisation and unintended 'market failure' effects. Evidence is tenuous for reducing secondary care referrals, providing patient reassurance or meaningfully improving clinical outcomes. Subsequently, inflated investment in per capita testing, at a lower level in a healthcare system, may deliver diminishing or even negative economic returns. Test cost poorly represents 'value', neglecting under-recognised downstream consequences, which must be balanced against therapeutic yield. With lower positive predictive values, more tests are required per true diagnosis and cost-effectiveness is rarely robust. With fixed secondary care capacity, novel primary care testing is an added cost pressure, rarely reducing hospital activity. GP testing strategies require real-world evaluation, in primary care populations, of all downstream consequences. Test formularies should be scrutinised in view of the setting of care, with interventions to focus rational testing towards those with higher pretest probabilities, while improving interpretation and communication of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Mohammed Sajid
- NHS West London Clinical Commissioning Group, London, UK
- University of Global Health Equity, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Kathleen Frost
- NHS Central London Clinical Commissioning Group, London, UK
| | - Ash K Paul
- NHS South West London Health and Care Partnership STP, London, UK
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Vande Velde F, Overgaard HJ, Bastien S. Nudge strategies for behavior-based prevention and control of neglected tropical diseases: A scoping review and ethical assessment. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009239. [PMID: 34723983 PMCID: PMC8584752 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nudging, a strategy that uses subtle stimuli to direct people’s behavior, has recently been included as an effective and low-cost behavior change strategy in low- and middle- income countries (LMIC), targeting behavior-based prevention and control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The present scoping review aims to provide a timely overview of how nudge interventions have been applied within this field. In addition, the review proposes a framework for the ethical consideration of nudges for NTD prevention and control, or more broadly global health promotion. Methods A comprehensive search was performed in several databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Embase (Ovid), Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, ERIC and Econ.Lit (EBSCO), as well as registered trials and reviews in CENTRAL and PROSPERO to identify ongoing or unpublished studies. Additionally, studies were included through a handpicked search on websites of governmental nudge units and global health or development organizations. Results This scoping review identified 33 relevant studies, with only two studies targeting NTDs in particular, resulting in a total of 67 nudge strategies. Most nudges targeted handwashing behavior and were focused on general health practices rather than targeting a specific disease. The most common nudge strategies were those targeting decision assistance, such as facilitating commitment and reminder actions. The majority of nudges were of moderate to high ethical standards, with the highest standards being those that had the most immediate and significant health benefits, and those implemented by agents in a trust relationship with the target audience. Conclusion Three key recommendations should inform research investigating nudge strategies in global health promotion in general. Firstly, future efforts should investigate the different opportunities that nudges present for targeting NTDs in particular, rather than relying solely on integrated health promotion approaches. Secondly, to apply robust study designs including rigorous process and impact evaluation which allow for a better understanding of ‘what works’ and ‘how it works’. Finally, to consider the ethical implications of implementing nudge strategies, specifically in LMIC. Behavior is at the core of neglected tropical disease (NTD) prevention and control, certainly within low-, and middle- income countries (LMIC) where resources are often limited. Therefore, strategies to promote behavior change should be included and investigated in future efforts. Nudging, a low-cost strategy that subtly directs people towards positive behavioral choices, has recently gained attention in global health promotion. Nudge strategies have been applied to a wide range of health-promoting behaviors such as handwashing. To understand which strategies were used, where and how these were applied, and whether these were ethically informed and implemented, we undertook a comprehensive review of the available sources. This resulted in 33 included studies, with a total of 67 nudge strategies for behavior-based prevention and control of NTDs in LMIC. Only two studies targeted NTDs in particular, the other 31 included studies were focused on more general health promoting behaviors, with the majority targeting handwashing with soap. The most common nudge strategies were those targeting decision assistance, such as fostering commitment and reminder actions. In general, the ethical assessment presented favorable results. We identified the need for robust study designs to better understand how nudges can be implemented in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Vande Velde
- Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Hans J. Overgaard
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Sheri Bastien
- Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- The Centre for Evidence-Based Public Health: A JBI Affiliated Group, Department of Public Health Science, NMBU, Ås, Norway
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Sharma S, Traeger AC, Tcharkhedian E, Middleton PM, Cullen L, Maher CG. Effect of a waiting room communication strategy on imaging rates and awareness of public health messages for low back pain. Int J Qual Health Care 2021; 33:6384520. [PMID: 34623440 DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzab129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have investigated the effects of waiting room communication strategies on health-care behavior. OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine the effect of a waiting room communication strategy, designed to raise awareness of potential harms of unnecessary imaging, on lumbar imaging rates in the emergency department (ED). METHODS We conducted a controlled experimental study with a replicated time series design. The design included a 6-week run-in time. Following this there were alternating 1-week intervention and control periods. The intervention group received a communication strategy describing the potential harms of unnecessary imaging for low back pain, shown on a 55" LCD screen positioned in the ED waiting room. The communication strategy was designed by a creative innovation agency and included five digital posters and a patient leaflet. The control group received standard messaging for the waiting room at the time, shown on the same 55" LCD screen, and access to the patient leaflet. The primary outcome was the number and proportion of people presenting to ED with low back pain who received at least one lumbar imaging test, measured using routinely collected ED data. Secondary patient-reported outcomes (patient satisfaction and awareness of campaign messages) were collected from a sample of people presenting for any condition who responded to a text-message-based survey. RESULTS For the imaging outcome, 337 people presenting to ED with low back pain were included over a 4-month period (intervention n = 99; control n = 238). All had available data on lumbar imaging. Use of lumbar imaging was 25% in those exposed to the communication strategy [95% confidence interval (CI) = 18% to 35%] compared with 29% in those exposed to the standard waiting room messaging [95% CI = 23% to 35%; odds ratio (OR) = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.49 to 1.41]. For the patient-reported outcomes, 349 patients presenting to ED for any condition responded to the survey (intervention n = 170; control n = 179; response rate = 33%). There was uncertain evidence that the intervention increased awareness of the communication strategy leaflet (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 0.90 to 4.47). Other measures did not suggest between-group differences in patient satisfaction or awareness of the campaign messages. CONCLUSION A communication strategy displayed in the ED waiting room may slightly reduce the proportion of patients with low back pain who receive lumbar imaging, although there is uncertainty due to imprecision. The campaign did not appear to increase awareness of campaign messages or affect patient satisfaction in a sample of patients presenting to the ED for any reason. Larger studies should investigate whether simple, low-cost waiting room communication strategies can raise awareness of unnecessary healthcare and influence health-care quality. TRIAL REGISTRATION ACTRN12620000300976, 05/03/2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweekriti Sharma
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales 2050, Australia.,School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Adrian C Traeger
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales 2050, Australia.,School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Elise Tcharkhedian
- Department of Physiotherapy, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Paul M Middleton
- South Western Emergency Research Institute, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia.,Discipline of Emergency Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Louise Cullen
- Emergency and Trauma Center, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Chris G Maher
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales 2050, Australia.,School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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Traeger AC, Machado GC, Bath S, Tran M, Roper L, Oliveira C, Peek A, Coombs D, Hall A, Tcharkhedian E, Maher CG. Appropriateness of imaging decisions for low back pain presenting to the emergency department: a retrospective chart review study. Int J Qual Health Care 2021; 33:6321318. [PMID: 34260690 DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzab103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Imaging for low back pain is widely regarded as a target for efforts to reduce low-value care. OBJECTIVE We aimed to estimate the prevalence of the overuse and underuse of lumbar imaging in patients presenting with low back pain to the emergency department (ED). METHODS This was a retrospective chart review study of five public hospital EDs in Sydney, Australia, in 2019-20. We reviewed the clinical charts of consecutive adult patients who presented with a complaint of low back pain and extracted clinical features relevant to a decision to request lumbar imaging. We estimated the proportion of encounters where a decision to request lumbar imaging was inappropriate (overuse) or where a clinician did not request an appropriate and informative lumbar imaging test when indicated (underuse). RESULTS Six hundred and forty-nine patients presented with a complaint of low back pain, of which 158 (24.3%) were referred for imaging. Seventy-nine (12.2%) had a combination of features suggesting that lumbar imaging was indicated according to clinical guidelines. The prevalence of overuse and underuse of lumbar imaging was 8.8% (57 of 649 cases, 95% CI 6.8-11.2%) and 4.3% (28 of 649 cases, 95% CI 3.0-6.1%), respectively. Thirteen cases were classified as underuse because the patients were referred for uninformative imaging modalities (e.g. referred for radiography for suspected cauda equina syndrome). CONCLUSION In this study of emergency care, there was evidence of not only overuse of lumbar imaging but also underuse through failure to request lumbar imaging when indicated or referral for an uninformative imaging modality. These three issues seem more important targets for quality improvement than solely focusing on overuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian C Traeger
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Level 10 North, King George V Building, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (C39), PO Box M179, Missenden Road, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Gustavo C Machado
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Level 10 North, King George V Building, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (C39), PO Box M179, Missenden Road, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Sally Bath
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Level 10 North, King George V Building, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (C39), PO Box M179, Missenden Road, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Martin Tran
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Level 10 North, King George V Building, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (C39), PO Box M179, Missenden Road, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Lucinda Roper
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Level 10 North, King George V Building, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (C39), PO Box M179, Missenden Road, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Crystian Oliveira
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Level 10 North, King George V Building, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (C39), PO Box M179, Missenden Road, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.,Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sao Paulo State University, Presidente Prudente, R. Roberto Símonsen, 305 - Centro Educacional, Pres. Prudente - SP 19060-900, Brazil
| | - Aimie Peek
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Susan Wakil Building, Western Ave, Camperdown NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Danielle Coombs
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Level 10 North, King George V Building, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (C39), PO Box M179, Missenden Road, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Amanda Hall
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, 300 Prince Philip Dr, St. John's, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Elise Tcharkhedian
- Physiotherapy Department, Liverpool Hospital, Southwest Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, 75 Elizabeth St, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Chris G Maher
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Level 10 North, King George V Building, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (C39), PO Box M179, Missenden Road, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
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Klein WMP, O'Connell ME, Bloch MH, Czajkowski SM, Green PA, Han PKJ, Moser RP, Nebeling LC, Vanderpool RC. Behavioral Research in Cancer Prevention and Control: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities. J Natl Cancer Inst 2021; 114:179-186. [PMID: 34240206 PMCID: PMC8344826 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djab139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
It is estimated that behaviors such as poor diet, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, sedentary behavior, and excessive ultraviolet exposure account for nearly one-half of all cancer morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, the behavioral, social, and communication sciences have been important contributors to cancer prevention and control research, with methodological advances and implementation science helping to produce optimally effective interventions. To sustain these contributions, it is vital to adapt to the contemporary context. Efforts must consider ancillary effects of the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic, profound changes in the information environment and public understanding of and trust in science, renewed attention to structural racism and social determinants of health, and the rapidly increasing population of cancer survivors. Within this context, it is essential to accelerate reductions in tobacco use across all population subgroups; consider new models of energy balance (diet, physical activity, sedentary behavior); increase awareness of alcohol as a risk factor for cancer; and identify better communication practices in the context of cancer-related decisions such as screening and genetic testing. Successful integration of behavioral research and cancer prevention depends on working globally and seamlessly across disciplines, taking a multilevel approach where possible. Methodological and analytic approaches should be emphasized in research training programs and should use new and underused data sources and technologies. As the leadership core of the National Cancer Institute’s Behavioral Research Program, we reflect on these challenges and opportunities and consider implications for the next phase of behavioral research in cancer prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M P Klein
- Associate Director, Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute
| | - Mary E O'Connell
- Scientific Program Manager, Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute
| | - Michele H Bloch
- Chief, Tobacco Control Research Branch, National Cancer Institute
| | | | - Paige A Green
- Chief, Basic Biobehavioral/Psychological Sciences Research Branch, National Cancer Institute
| | - Paul K J Han
- Senior Scientist, Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute
| | - Richard P Moser
- Training Director and Research Methods Coordinator, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute
| | - Linda C Nebeling
- Deputy Associate Director, Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute
| | - Robin C Vanderpool
- Chief, Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch, National Cancer Institute
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Peeters R. The agency of algorithms: Understanding human-algorithm interaction in administrative decision-making. INFORMATION POLITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3233/ip-200253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
With the rise of computer algorithms in administrative decision-making, concerns are voiced about their lack of transparency and discretionary space for human decision-makers. However, calls to ‘keep humans in the loop’ may be moot points if we fail to understand how algorithms impact human decision-making and how algorithmic design impacts the practical possibilities for transparency and human discretion. Through a review of recent academic literature, three algorithmic design variables that determine the preconditions for human transparency and discretion and four main sources of variation in ‘human-algorithm interaction’ are identified. The article makes two contributions. First, the existing evidence is analysed and organized to demonstrate that, by working upon behavioural mechanisms of decision-making, the agency of algorithms extends beyond their computer code and can profoundly impact human behaviour and decision-making. Second, a research agenda for studying how computer algorithms affect administrative decision-making is proposed.
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