DECISIONS Study: Medical Decision-Making Among Older U.S. Adults

A 2006-2007 telephone survey of 3,010 U.S. adults over 40 captured how they discussed ten common medical decisions with healthcare providers. The DECISIONS study used a dynamic module design to gather detailed information on decision-making processes relevant to each participant. This data enables research into the prevalence and nature of medical choices faced by older Americans.

Use Cases

• Analyzing the prevalence of specific medical decisions (e.g., medication, surgery) based on screening module responses.
• Studying correlations between patient demographics and decision-making processes using survey variables.
• Modeling factors that influence patient care choices from detailed module questions about discussions with providers.

Strengths

• Nationally representative sample of 3,010 U.S. adults over age 40, supporting generalizable findings.
• Unique dynamic survey design captured detailed, personalized data on up to three relevant medical decisions per participant.
• Funded by a dedicated research foundation, indicating structured academic purpose and design.

Limitations

• Column names and full data schema are not provided in the available metadata, limiting immediate usability.
• Data is from 2006-2007 and may not reflect contemporary healthcare practices or decision-making contexts.
• Platform entries show minor inconsistencies in metadata fields (e.g., organization, size), suggesting potential integration gaps.

Provenance

Source

University of Michigan, conducted by Mick P. Couper.

Collection Method

Random-digit dial telephone survey.

Time Range

November 2006 to May 2007

Geography

United States