I am a physician and behavioral scientist at Duke University. My research and writing explores the quirks in human nature that influence our lives — the mixture of rational and irrational forces that affect our health, our happiness and the way our society functions. (What fun would it be to tackle just the easy problems?)
I am currently exploring controversial issues about the role of values and preferences in health care decision making, from decisions at the bedside to policy decisions. I use the tools of decision psychology and behavioral economics to explore topics like informed consent, shared decision making and health care spending. My books include Pricing Life (MIT Press 2000) and Free Market Madness (Harvard Business Press, 2009). My newest book, Critical Decisions (HarperCollins), came out in September of 2012, and explores the challenges of shared decision making between doctors and patients.
Education and Training
- M.D., University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 1988
- B.A., Carleton College, 1984
Grants
- Cancer Treatment Disparities in the HIV Population: Exploring the Impact of HIV on Physician and Patient Decision-Making
- Financial and Social Behavioral Economic Incentives to Increase Physical Activity in Adolescents and Young Adults for Cardiovascular Health
- Duke CTSA (KL2)
- Duke CTSA (TL1)
- Medical Scientist Training Program
- Decision Making for Critically Ill Infants
- Examining Best Practices for Factoring Out-Of-Pocket Expenses into Patients' Health Care Decisions
- HIV cure studies: risk, risk perception, and ethics
- Exploring Ethical Dilemmas Facing Private Payers