ИСТИНА

Problem: Decision-making for professionals in the medical industry involves a risk factor. Although medical doctors undergo fundamental training and education, their profession often involves the necessity to make decisions in uncertain and risky situations. Therefore, the decision-making processes may involve such cognitive biases as the framing effect. Objectives and goals: This study evaluates susceptibility to the framing effect in medical doctors and medical students in relation to perceived and self-assessed riskiness. Research methods: Two groups of participants took part in the study: medical students (N=78) and medical doctors of various specialties (N=40). Measures: (1) The Asian Disease Problem. (2) Direct self-assessment of riskiness. (3) Implicit Risk Theories Questionnaire. Results: The framing effect was established in 36% of doctors and in 42% of students. Medical students, prone to the framing effect, regard risk as a conscious choice, while the students, not susceptible to the framing effect, perceive risk as augmentation of values. Among the medical without the framing effect, higher self-assessed riskiness is positively associated with the perception of risk as a conscious choice and as pleasure. Among the medical doctors, prone to the framing effect, high self-assessed riskiness is linked with the perception of risk as a choice, a challenge and pleasure. Conclusions: Medical doctors are less susceptible to the framing effect than the students. Both, medical students and doctors, with high self-assessed riskiness tend to regard risk as a conscious choice and pleasure. Supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project 17-06-00130