Basic Concepts and Rules of Probability
Utilization of probability in the medical field has received much acknowledgment as an essential utility for determination of various medical aspects in the recent past. It serves as the basis of inferential statistics. Thus, its applicability in the medical discipline is understandable since it requires an accurate deduction of consequences to prevent adverse events. Such a reliance on this statistical tool thus necessitates an in-depth analysis of the same to establish the rules and concepts that govern it and identification of an instance of its utilization. In essence, this is the central theme of this discussion.
One basic rule of interest is the one stating that for any event, its probability is between zero and one with zero and one inclusive to the possible count. A probability of zero is characteristic of an event that never happened while a probability of one is the total sum of possible outcomes (UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, 2016).
Another rule that is of the essence is that of mutually exclusive events. Such are events in which its possibilities are complimentary to one another. A befitting example is the possibility of a mother either giving birth to a boy or a girl child. In such a situation, the two options are complimentary to one another, and the addition of their probability is equal to one (UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, 2016).
Additionally, the probability of two independent events is another core component that deserves mention. In this case, the occurrence of one event does not affect the emergence of another event (UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, 2016). For instance, the possibility of a mother to give birth to a girl or a boy is independent of another mother to give birth either of the babies. Thus, in such circumstances the probability of getting, for instance, a boy for both the parents is the product of the likelihood of a boy child for both mothers.
With these rules in mind, the significance of probability in making health care decisions is existent in an instance that one assesses the risk of an intervention or action. A case in point is the determination of suitability of operating on an elderly patient with esophageal cancer. In such a case, one utilizes the probability of either benefiting or not benefiting from this intervention to make the clinical decision of its clinical suitability (“The Assessment of Risk and Potential Benefit,” 2016). Thus, with such an example, among others, one can appreciate the applicability of probability and its merits in health care system.
In conclusion, the probability is a vast area that has its rules that govern its practicability in a health care sector. Thus, with such an understanding, an individual is sure to get the best returns of utilizing the same in his/her clinical practice.
REFERENCES
The Assessment of Risk and Potential Benefit. (2016).Bioethicsarchive.georgetown.edu. Retrieved 13 October 2016, from https://bioethicsarchive.georgetown.edu/nbac/capacity/Assessment.htm
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA., (2016). Basic Probability Rules » Biostatistics » College of Public Health and Health Professions » University of Florida. Bolt.mph.ufl.edu. Retrieved 13 October 2016, from http://bolt.mph.ufl.edu/6050-6052/unit-3/module-6/
