Contribution of medical decision-making to consensus development conferences

Abstract

A description is given of the consensus development conference as a method for either technology assessment or quality assurance in health care. The general features of the methodology are discussed, the Dutch approach is explained in more detail, and medical decision analysis and its potential contribution to consensus development are described. Examples are given of the use of this technique during 6 of the 22 consensus conferences held in The Netherlands since 1982.