Increasing complexity of medical decision-making situations - recognising and shaping the challenges of digitalisation

The opportunities and limits of digitalisation for medical decision-making situations have been discussed heavily so far regarding to the potentials of single technologies and digital tools. Following sociological perspectives, which understand medical decision-making as socially embedded and hybrid, we show central structural challenges of digitalisation in clinical decision-making situations and develop recommendations for action for practice. If the structural challenges of digitalisation can be overcome positively, sustainable opportunities for improving medical decision-making situations through digitalisation will open up. With this integrative perspective, it is possible to avoid narrowing down to individual technologies and idealising decision-making situations, to anticipate unintended consequences and to open up perspectives for medium- and long-term quality improvements.

Automated summary

The opportunities and limits of digitalisation for medical decision-making situations are discussed, and recommendations for overcoming challenges and improving decision-making are provided. The integrative perspective allows for sustained improvements in medical decision-making.