Table 2 The contrast between the "old think" of many DSS projects and the "new think" that considers decision tools as a potential technology to help get evidence into practice.
From: Decision tools in health care: focus on the problem, not the solution
Old think | New think |
|---|---|
Complex computerised decision support system that demands respect and understanding | A discrete decision tool with the complexity concealed within a simple functional exterior |
Hard technical problems are the main focus | Hard knowledge management problems are the main focus |
Evaluation should focus on the DSS | Evaluation should focus on the knowledge problems |
The technology dominates the project | The problem dominates the project |
Select problems that DSS can address | Focus on a knowledge problem and match the solution to this – ignoring DSS if need be |
Improved decisions are the end point | Getting evidence into practice is the end point |
The important distinctions are between DSS reasoning methods | The important distinctions are between different knowledge management problems and their causes |