Decision theory for sustainable rehabilitation: managing uncertainty and group choice to improve health conditions, well‑being, and social inclusion

The quality of education, health conditions, and broader factors (well-being, poverty, inequality, social exclusion) strongly affect decision-making processes in rehabilitation. Rehabilitation choices often involve complex and uncertain intrapersonal and interpersonal dynamics, with big effects for individuals’ long-term health and quality of life. The present paper explores the application of decision theory within the context of rehabilitation, aiming to demonstrate how formal models can enhance decision-making processes and outcomes. Two key issues are examined: the decision to undertake rehabilitation, which is considered a group decision involving patients, families, and medical professionals; and the decision within rehabilitation, which is viewed as an intertemporal choice involving costs and benefits over time. The paper analyses how uncertainty, strategic communication and framing effects influence rehabilitation pathways by integrating Multi-Criteria Group Decision Making (MCGDM) and Discounted Utility Model (DUM). This contribution offers a theoretical framework for improving the sustainability of rehabilitation pathways. Growing interest in health and safety measures, as well as the promotion of health literacy, can support decision-making through informed, inclusive, and timely decisions. These have implications for social inclusion and equity.