Sociomedical models and the epistemology of risk: the shortcomings of medical decision-making research.

Sociomedical decision-making models have provided the framework for understanding individual choice regarding health risks and have had an enormous impact on the practice of health education. Recently, some scholars have questioned the usefulness of these models and have called for a new perspective. While some newer decision-making models appear to be unique, it will be shown here that these new approaches remain firmly grounded in value-expectancy tradition. By examining sociomedical decision-making models with regard to their underlying theory of human action and epistemological assumptions, the similarity of various models will be exposed. The intent of this analysis is to illuminate the inherent limitations of traditional medical decision-making models and to provide a framework for developing a new approach.