The Decision Making Process of Cancer Patients: Through A Model Still More Clearly

Abstract

The decision making processes of cancer patients are not as yet completely understood--if ever they will be. In three previous co-authored works, the authors introduced and then refined an Equilibrium/Disequilibrium model of the decision making processes of cancer patients (Pinney and Cummings, 1982, 1983 and 1985). Since introducing that model, the author of this paper has become more involved in consumer satisfaction, dissatisfaction and complaining behavior. As a result of this involvement, the Equilibrium/Disequilibrium model is again being revised. In this paper, however, the model has been modified in part to read: satisfaction/dissatisfaction and, in certain contexts, complaining behavior.