Zero Order and Nonzero Order Decision Rules in Medical Diagnosis

In searching for the optimal solution to the medical diagnostic problem, it seems useful to distinguish between different possible decision rules (strategies). Two different classes of decision rules are considered: nonzero order decision rules and constant or zero order decision rules. For each class, solution methods as well as heuristic approaches to finding the optimal member of the class are discussed. As an exercise, the diagnosis of a hematologic disease belonging to the group macrocytic anemia is considered.