Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 324 in total

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  1. Reliability of reasons for early termination of breastfeeding: application of a bivariate probability model with sample selection to data from surveys in Malaysia in 1976-77 and 1988-89
    Kuate-Defo B, DaVanzo J
    Popul Stud (Camb), 2006 Mar;60(1):83-98.
    PMID: 16464777 DOI: 10.1080/00324720500462223
    Although extensively collected, data on people's reasons for their behaviour provided retrospectively have been met with some scepticism on the grounds that they may be subject to biases and errors that jeopardize their usefulness. This study investigates, for a sample of 1,327 births, the reliability with which women in Peninsular Malaysia recalled, at intervals 12 years apart, reasons for not initiating or for stopping breastfeeding less than 3 months after a birth. Overall, we find low to moderate reliability of recall. Levels of reliability are relatively high for some reasons (the child died and no or insufficient milk) but low for some others (child ill, breastfeeding inconvenient). Results from selection models show that reliability does not vary with the length of time since the child's birth but is inversely related to socio-economic status (proxied by education and employment). Social status, social norms, and health-related factors appear to be significant influences on women's consistency of reporting.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making*
  2. Fulltext The effect of lighting conditions and use of headlights on drivers' perception and appraisal of approaching vehicles at junctions
    Lee YM, Sheppard E
    Ergonomics, 2018 Mar;61(3):444-455.
    PMID: 28782425 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2017.1364790
    Use of Daytime Running Lights (DRL) is mandatory in many countries for motorcycles, and in some for cars. However, in developing countries, DRLs may be optional or compliance low. The effect of car or motorcycle headlights and lighting conditions on Malaysian drivers' ability to perceive and judge the safety of pulling out was investigated. Stimuli were photographs depicting either daytime or nighttime taken at a T-junction with approaching vehicles with headlights on or off. Headlights improved drivers' ability to perceive cars and motorcycles in the nighttime photographs but not the daytime photographs, although this could be due to the bright weather in the photographs. Drivers judged it less safe to pull out when approaching motorcycles had headlights on than off, regardless of the lighting conditions, supporting the utility of DRL for motorcycles. Headlights did not affect judgements for cars, questioning the utility of DRL for cars. Practitioner Summary: The effect of headlights and lighting conditions on drivers' ability to perceive and make judgements about the safety of pulling out was investigated. Daytime Running Lights influenced drivers' decision-making about the safety of pulling out in front of motorcycles, illustrating the importance of having automatic headlights equipped.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making*
  3. Improving health screening uptake in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    Teo CH, Ling CJ, Ng CJ
    Am J Prev Med, 2018 Jan;54(1):133-143.
    PMID: 29254551 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2017.08.028
    CONTEXT: Globally, uptake of health screening in men remains low and the effectiveness of interventions to promote screening uptake in men is not well established. This review aimed to determine the effectiveness of interventions in improving men's uptake of and intention to undergo screening, including interventions using information and communication technology and a male-sensitive approach.

    EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Studies were sourced from five electronic databases (October 2015), experts, and references of included studies. This study included RCTs or cluster RCTs that recruited men and reported uptake of or intention to undergo screening. Two researchers independently performed study selection, appraisal, and data extraction. The interventions were grouped into those that increase uptake and those that promote informed decision making. They were further sub-analyzed according to types of intervention, male-sensitive, and web- and video-based interventions. The analysis was completed in December 2016.

    EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: This review included 58 studies. Most studies were on prostate cancer (k=31) and HIV (k=11) screening. Most of the studies had low methodologic quality (79.3%) and after excluding them from the analysis, one study found that educational intervention (which was also male-sensitive) was effective in improving men's intention to screen (risk ratio=1.36, 95% CI=1.23, 1.50, k=1) and partner educational intervention increased men's screening uptake (risk ratio=1.77, 95% CI=1.48, 2.12, k=1). Video-based educational interventions reduced prostate cancer screening uptake (risk ratio=0.89, 95%CI=0.80, 0.99, k=1) but web-based interventions did not change men's screening intention or uptake.

    CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the need to conduct more robust studies to provide conclusive evidence on the effectiveness of different interventions to improve men's screening behavior.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making*
  4. Islamic Considerations on the Application of Patient's Autonomy in End-of-Life Decision
    Malek MM, Abdul Rahman NN, Hasan MS, Haji Abdullah L
    J Relig Health, 2018 Aug;57(4):1524-1537.
    PMID: 29417395 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-018-0575-5
    In end-of-life situation, the need for patient's preference comes into the picture with the intention of guiding physicians in the direction of patient care. Preference in medical directive is made by a person with full mental capacity outlining what actions should be taken for his health should he loses his competency. This is based on the reality of universal paradigm in medical practice that emphasises patient's autonomy. A specific directive is produced according to a patient's wish that might include some ethically and religiously controversial directives such as mercy killing, physician-assisted suicide, forgoing life-supporting treatments and do-not-resuscitate. In the future, patient autonomy is expected to become prevalent. The extent of patient autonomy has not been widely discussed among Muslim scholars. In Islam, there are certain considerations that must be adhered to.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making*
  5. Using multi-attribute decision-making approaches in the selection of a hospital management system
    Arasteh MA, Shamshirband S, Yee PL
    Technol Health Care, 2018;26(2):279-295.
    PMID: 29309042 DOI: 10.3233/THC-170947
    The most appropriate organizational software is always a real challenge for managers, especially, the IT directors. The illustration of the term "enterprise software selection", is to purchase, create, or order a software that; first, is best adapted to require of the organization; and second, has suitable price and technical support. Specifying selection criteria and ranking them, is the primary prerequisite for this action. This article provides a method to evaluate, rank, and compare the available enterprise software for choosing the apt one. The prior mentioned method is constituted of three-stage processes. First, the method identifies the organizational requires and assesses them. Second, it selects the best method throughout three possibilities; indoor-production, buying software, and ordering special software for the native use. Third, the method evaluates, compares and ranks the alternative software. The third process uses different methods of multi attribute decision making (MADM), and compares the consequent results. Based on different characteristics of the problem; several methods had been tested, namely, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), Elimination and Choice Expressing Reality (ELECTURE), and easy weight method. After all, we propose the most practical method for same problems.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making*
  6. Fulltext Health innovations in patient decision support: Bridging the gaps and challenges
    Ng CJ, Lee YK, Lee PY, Abdullah KL
    Australas Med J, 2013;6(2):95-9.
    PMID: 23483776 DOI: 10.4066/AMJ.2013.1655
    Patient decision aids (PDAs) help to support patients in making an informed and value-based decision. Despite advancement in decision support technologies over the past 30 years, most PDAs are still inaccessible and few address individual needs. Health innovation may provide a solution to bridge these gaps. Information and computer technology provide a platform to incorporate individual profiles and needs into PDAs, making the decision support more personalised. Health innovation may enhance accessibility by using mobile, tablet and Internet technologies; make risk communication more interactive; and identify patient values more effectively. In addition, using databases to capture patient data and the usage of PDAs can help: developers to improve PDAs' design; clinicians to facilitate the decisionmaking process more effectively; and policy makers to make shared decision making more feasible and cost-effective. Health innovation may hold the key to advancing PDAs by creating a more personalised and effective decision support tool for patients making healthcare decisions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making
  7. Application of TOPSIS and VIKOR improved versions in a multi criteria decision analysis to develop an optimized municipal solid waste management model
    Aghajani Mir M, Taherei Ghazvinei P, Sulaiman NM, Basri NE, Saheri S, Mahmood NZ, et al.
    J Environ Manage, 2016 Jan 15;166:109-15.
    PMID: 26496840 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.09.028
    Selecting a suitable Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method is a crucial stage to establish a Solid Waste Management (SWM) system. Main objective of the current study is to demonstrate and evaluate a proposed method using Multiple Criteria Decision Making methods (MCDM). An improved version of Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) applied to obtain the best municipal solid waste management method by comparing and ranking the scenarios. Applying this method in order to rank treatment methods is introduced as one contribution of the study. Besides, Viekriterijumsko Kompromisno Rangiranje (VIKOR) compromise solution method applied for sensitivity analyses. The proposed method can assist urban decision makers in prioritizing and selecting an optimized Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) treatment system. Besides, a logical and systematic scientific method was proposed to guide an appropriate decision-making. A modified TOPSIS methodology as a superior to existing methods for first time was applied for MSW problems. Applying this method in order to rank treatment methods is introduced as one contribution of the study. Next, 11 scenarios of MSW treatment methods are defined and compared environmentally and economically based on the waste management conditions. Results show that integrating a sanitary landfill (18.1%), RDF (3.1%), composting (2%), anaerobic digestion (40.4%), and recycling (36.4%) was an optimized model of integrated waste management. An applied decision-making structure provides the opportunity for optimum decision-making. Therefore, the mix of recycling and anaerobic digestion and a sanitary landfill with Electricity Production (EP) are the preferred options for MSW management.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making
  8. Fulltext Knowledge, Awareness, and Perception of Genetic Testing for Hereditary Disorders Among Malaysians in Klang Valley
    Chin JJ, Tham HW
    Front Genet, 2020;11:512582.
    PMID: 33343613 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.512582
    Genetic testing aids patients in making important decisions in the prevention, treatment, or early detection of hereditary disorders. Low awareness of the importance of genetic testing contributes to the increase in the incidence of hereditary disorders. This study aims to explore the knowledge, awareness, and perception of genetic testing for hereditary disorders among local residents of the Klang Valley, Malaysia, and the potential variables that influence their understanding of genetic testing. A survey was conducted in different municipalities of the Klang Valley through self-administered questionnaire assessing the public's knowledge, awareness, and perception of genetic testing. Overall, the results revealed adequate knowledge and positive awareness of genetic testing, in which both were influenced by the respondent's educational level (P < 0.001), field of study (P < 0.001), and status of heard or unheard of genetic testing (P < 0.001). The perception of genetic testing was generally positive and influenced by the respondent's differences in age (P < 0.016), educational level (P < 0.001), field of study (P < 0.001), and status of heard or unheard of genetic testing (P < 0.001). Although positive responses were obtained, ~20.2% of the respondents had never heard of genetic testing. Of the respondents, 24.5% were unwilling to undergo genetic testing, with 25.1% believing that genetic testing tampers with nature and 18% believing that it opposes religion and their beliefs. Such attitude calls for the need to conduct programs to eliminate any misconception, as well as to educate the public to lessen any perceived misunderstanding of the concepts of genetic testing.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making
  9. Fulltext Transfection types, methods and strategies: a technical review
    Chong ZX, Yeap SK, Ho WY
    PeerJ, 2021;9:e11165.
    PMID: 33976969 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11165
    Transfection is a modern and powerful method used to insert foreign nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells. The ability to modify host cells' genetic content enables the broad application of this process in studying normal cellular processes, disease molecular mechanism and gene therapeutic effect. In this review, we summarized and compared the findings from various reported literature on the characteristics, strengths, and limitations of various transfection methods, type of transfected nucleic acids, transfection controls and approaches to assess transfection efficiency. With the vast choices of approaches available, we hope that this review will help researchers, especially those new to the field, in their decision making over the transfection protocol or strategy appropriate for their experimental aims.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making
  10. Fulltext Importance of economic evaluation in health care decision making
    Aniza, I., Hossein, M., Otgonbayar, R., Munkhtuul, Y.
    Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2008;14(1):1-10.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction : Economic evaluations can provide “value-for money” information to those making decisions about the allocation of limited health care resources. In particular, economic evaluations can be used to identify interventions that are worth providing and those that are not. Furthermore, evaluations can be used with other approaches to help set priorities, such as program-budgeting marginal-analysis.
    Methodology : Compile and systematically describe from the publications, articles and reports on economic evaluation in healthcare decision making.
    Result : A high quality economic evaluation should provide decision makers with information that is useful, relevant, and timely. In addition, evaluations should be based on rigorous analytical methods, be balanced and impartial (credible), and be transparent and accessible to the reader. There are many situations where economic evaluations can assist decision makers: decisions by various levels of government or administrative bodies (e.g., regional health authorities, hospitals, drug plans) to fund a program, service or technology, pricing decisions by government regulators and technology manufacturers, clinical practice guidelines, priorities for research funding by governments and researchbased firms, post-marketing surveillance and updates of economic information based on the use of the technology in the “real world” (which can then be used to inform one of the other types of decisions).
    Conclusion: This requires that decision makers take a broad view of the impact of a technology, and decision that are more explicit and transparent. The ultimate test of an evaluation is whether it leads to better decision in the presence of uncertainty, and results in the more efficient and effective use of resources.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making
  11. Fulltext The ethical decision making model in obstetrics and gynaecology practice
    Nazimah Idris, Sivalingam Nalliah
    International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2014;8(1):44-49.
    MyJurnal
    This paper attempts to utilise clinical scenarios where ethical issues are embedded and requires appropriate application of the steps of the framework mentioned. A step by step sequential approach is adopted to illustrate how the ‘ethical decision model ‘can be used to resolve ethical problems to arrive at a reasonable conclusion. The UNESCO ethical method of reasoning is used as the framework for decision making. Physician-educators should be competent to use ethical decision models as well as best available scientific evidence to be able to arrive at the best decision for patient care as well as teach health professional trainees how reasonable treatment decisions can be made within the perimeter of medical law and social justice.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making
  12. Fulltext Decision making and performance of Malaysian rugby sevens referees
    Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin, Suppiah, Pathmanathan K., Mohamad Razali Abdullah, Mohd Sofian Omar Fauzee, Parnabas, Vincent, Nagoor Meera Abdullah
    Movement Health & Exercise, 2015;4(1):61-75.
    MyJurnal
    This study aims to examine the decision making by rugby sevens referees, and its relationship with the referees' performance. The instruments used in this study are the Rugby Referee Decision Making Test (α=.74) and the Referee Sevens Field Performance Evaluation (α=.94). It was administered to 132 rugby sevens referees (mean age 33.4 + 1.5 years; 132 males) from the Malaysian Rugby Union (MRU), which have been refereeing in 10 rugby sevens tournaments in Malaysia. Descriptive and Inferential statistics (one way ANOVA and Pearson's Correlation) were employed to analyse the data. Decision Making ( ̅= 24.13, SD=5.24) and performance ( ̅= 136.45, SD = 4.47) were identified at a moderate level. The findings indicated no significant differences [F= (3, 128) =.246, p>0.05] in the decision making across age level, but there were significant differences [F= (3, 128) =63.159, p
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making
  13. Fulltext A spatial decision support tool for oil palm plantation management
    Loh, Kok Fook, Ponusamy, Ragu, Shattri Mansor, Jamil Ismail
    Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2009;17(1):-.
    MyJurnal
    Malaysia is in the process of modernizing its oil palm plantation management, by implementing geo-information technologies which include Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information System (GIS), and Spatial Decision Support System (DSS). Agencies with large oil palm plantations such as the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (FELCRA), Guthrie Sdn. Bhd., and Golden Hope Sdn. Bhd. have already incorporated GIS in their plantation management, with limited use of RS and DSS. In 2005, FELCRA, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Espatial Resources Sdn. Bhd. (ESR) collaborated in a research project to explore the potentials of geo-informatics for oil palm plantation management. The research was conducted in FELCRA located in Seberang Perak Oil Palm Scheme. In that research, a tool integrating RS, GIS and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was developed to support decision making for replanting of the existing old palms. RS was used to extract productive stand per hectare; AHP was used to compute the criteria weights for the development of a suitable model; and GIS was used for spatial modelling so as to generate the decision support layer for replanting. This paper highlights the approach adopted in developing the tool with special emphasis on the AHP computation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making
  14. Fulltext Models and theories of prescribing decisions: A review and suggested a new model
    Murshid MA, Mohaidin Z
    Pharm Pract (Granada), 2017 Apr-Jun;15(2):990.
    PMID: 28690701 DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2017.02.990
    To date, research on the prescribing decisions of physician lacks sound theoretical foundations. In fact, drug prescribing by doctors is a complex phenomenon influenced by various factors. Most of the existing studies in the area of drug prescription explain the process of decision-making by physicians via the exploratory approach rather than theoretical. Therefore, this review is an attempt to suggest a value conceptual model that explains the theoretical linkages existing between marketing efforts, patient and pharmacist and physician decision to prescribe the drugs. The paper follows an inclusive review approach and applies the previous theoretical models of prescribing behaviour to identify the relational factors. More specifically, the report identifies and uses several valuable perspectives such as the 'persuasion theory - elaboration likelihood model', the stimuli-response marketing model', the 'agency theory', the theory of planned behaviour,' and 'social power theory,' in developing an innovative conceptual paradigm. Based on the combination of existing methods and previous models, this paper suggests a new conceptual model of the physician decision-making process. This unique model has the potential for use in further research.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making
  15. Fulltext The importance of human capital perspective in the learning management system (LMS) decision making process at universities
    Norhaiza K, Rozainee K, Mohd Noor Abdul H, Phillip H, McGill T, Zainah Ahmad Z
    Jurnal Psikologi Malaysia, 2016;30:102-113.
    This research examined how managers in universities incorporate non-financial measures in their Learning Management Systems decision-making processes and particularly focused on the importance of the Human Capital perspective in LMS decision making processes. A mixed-methods approach to data collection was used involving both interviews and questionnaires. The qualitative data from the interviews were coded and analysed. A descriptive coding method using thematic analysis was used for the data coding. The qualitative data were analysed using an inductive approach where the categories of criteria and indicators were not determined before the interview. The participants in this research were five members of LMS decision-making teams at two different universities in Australia and 24 participants from different universities in Malaysia who were involved in LMS decision- making processes at their universities. The results of this research indicated that there was substantial support for using a multi-dimensional decision making model among IT decision makers at universities, particularly the Human Capital perspective and they believed that Human Capital measures are important and should be considered in a LMS decision making process.The research has both implications for theory and for practitioners where it contributes to the knowledge on LMS decision making in universities and IT decision making in general, and also in improving actual decision making practices.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making
  16. Fulltext Decision making procedure based on Jaccard similarity measure with z-numbers
    Mohamad, D., Ibrahim, S.Z.
    Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(2):561-574.
    MyJurnal
    Fuzzy set with similarity measure approaches are known to be effective in handling imprecise and
    subjective information to solve decision making problems. Many methods have been introduced based on these two concepts. However, most methods do not take into account the reliability factor of the imprecise information in the evaluation process. In 2010, Zadeh coined the idea of Z-number that has the ability to consider the reliability factor or the level of confidence of human’s information expression. Since then, some decision-making methods have included this concept. In this paper, we present a new fuzzy decision making procedure by integrating the Jaccard similarity measure with Z-number to solve a multi criteria decision making problem. The conversion method of the Z-number based linguistic value to trapezoidal fuzzy numbers is used and the Jaccard similarity measure of the expected intervals of trapezoidal fuzzy numbers is applied to obtain the final decision. The feasibility of the methodology is demonstrated by investigating the preference factors that could influence customers to buy their preferred choice of car. The proposed methodology is applicable to solving decision making with a fuzzy environment to achieve a reliable and optimal decision.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making
  17. Fulltext A review on EEG-based methods for screening and diagnosing alcohol use disorder
    Mumtaz W, Vuong PL, Malik AS, Rashid RBA
    Cogn Neurodyn, 2018 Apr;12(2):141-156.
    PMID: 29564024 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-017-9465-x
    The screening test for alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients has been of subjective nature and could be misleading in particular cases such as a misreporting the actual quantity of alcohol intake. Although the neuroimaging modality such as electroencephalography (EEG) has shown promising research results in achieving objectivity during the screening and diagnosis of AUD patients. However, the translation of these findings for clinical applications has been largely understudied and hence less clear. This study advocates the use of EEG as a diagnostic and screening tool for AUD patients that may help the clinicians during clinical decision making. In this context, a comprehensive review on EEG-based methods is provided including related electrophysiological techniques reported in the literature. More specifically, the EEG abnormalities associated with the conditions of AUD patients are summarized. The aim is to explore the potentials of objective techniques involving quantities/features derived from resting EEG, event-related potentials or event-related oscillations data.
    Matched MeSH terms: Clinical Decision-Making
  18. Fulltext Shared decision-making in Malaysia: Legislation, patient involvement, implementation and the impact of COVID-19
    Lee YK, Ng CJ, Lee PY, Tong WT, Sa'at H
    Z Evid Fortbild Qual Gesundhwes, 2022 Jun;171:89-92.
    PMID: 35610129 DOI: 10.1016/j.zefq.2022.04.020
    Shared decision making (SDM) activities in Malaysia began around 2010. The rise in the numbers of patients with chronic disease in Malaysia underscores a growing need for doctors to practice patient-centred care and SDM as more Malaysians come into regular contact with health decision-making scenarios. Recent guidelines for medical professionalism have emphasized that options and risks be discussed in consultations, especially for procedures with risk of adverse outcomes. Although SDM is not legally required, principles of SDM are applied in legal judgements on informed consent. Research on SDM has grown to include the adoption of patient and public involvement in research, an increased emphasis on incorporating local cultural values in SDM, and implementation of SDM in Malaysia's health system and organizational culture. While COVID-19 hindered the progress of SDM research, one positive development was that vaccination choices heightened public consciousness about personal decisional autonomy and the need to discuss pros and cons with doctors before making a medical decision.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making
  19. Fulltext Barriers of and strategies for shared decision-making implementation in the care of metastatic breast cancer: A qualitative study among patients and healthcare professionals in an Asian country
    Lee PY, Cheong AT, Ghazali SS, Rashid AA, Ong SC, Ong SY, et al.
    Health Expect, 2022 Dec;25(6):2837-2850.
    PMID: 36098241 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13590
    BACKGROUND: Shared decision-making has been shown to improve the quality of life in metastatic breast cancer patients in high-literacy and high-resource settings. However, limited studies have examined the cultural preferences of metastatic breast cancer patients with shared decision-making implementation and the barriers encountered in an Asian setting where societal norms predominate and physician decision-making is at the forefront. This paper aims to identify (1) barriers to practising shared decision-making faced by healthcare professionals and patients and (2) strategies for implementing shared decision-making in the context of metastatic breast cancer management in Malaysia.

    METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study involving 12 patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, 16 healthcare professionals and 5 policymakers from surgical and oncology departments at public healthcare centres in Malaysia. Semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the thematic approach. Nvivo software was used to manage and analyse the data.

    RESULTS: Five main themes emerged from the study: healthcare provider-patient communication, workforce availability, cultural and belief systems, goals of care and paternalism versus autonomy. Other strategies proposed to overcome barriers to implementing shared decision-making were training of healthcare professionals and empowering nurses to manage patients' psychosocial issues.

    CONCLUSION: This study found that practising shared decision-making in the public health sector remains challenging when managing patients with metastatic breast cancer. The utilization of decision-making tools, patient empowerment and healthcare provider training may help address the system and healthcare provider-patient barriers identified in this study.

    PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients were involved in the study design, recruitment and analysis.

    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making
  20. Towards sets of hazardous waste indicators. Essential tools for modern industrial management
    Peterson PJ, Granados A
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2002;9(3):204-14.
    PMID: 12094535
    Decision-makers require useful tools, such as indicators, to help them make environmentally sound decisions leading to effective management of hazardous wastes. Four hazardous waste indicators are being tested for such a purpose by several countries within the Sustainable Development Indicator Programme of the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development. However, these indicators only address the 'down-stream' end-of-pipe industrial situation. More creative thinking is clearly needed to develop a wider range of indicators that not only reflects all aspects of industrial production that generates hazardous waste but considers socio-economic implications of the waste as well. Sets of useful and innovative indicators are proposed that could be applied to the emerging paradigm shift away from conventional end-of-pipe management actions and towards preventive strategies that are being increasingly adopted by industry often in association with local and national governments. A methodological and conceptual framework for the development of a core-set of hazardous waste indicators has been developed. Some of the indicator sets outlined quantify preventive waste management strategies (including indicators for cleaner production, hazardous waste reduction/minimization and life cycle analysis), whilst other sets address proactive strategies (including changes in production and consumption patterns, eco-efficiency, eco-intensity and resource productivity). Indicators for quantifying transport of hazardous wastes are also described. It was concluded that a number of the indicators proposed could now be usefully implemented as management tools using existing industrial and economic data. As cleaner production technologies and waste minimization approaches are more widely deployed, and industry integrates environmental concerns at all levels of decision-making, it is expected that the necessary data for construction of the remaining indicators will soon become available.
    Matched MeSH terms: Decision Making
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