The challenge of mental simulation in preference-sensitive treatment decisions

Abstract

This commentary discusses the importance for preference-sensitive treatment decisions of episodic future thinking, which is the capacity to mentally simulate and pre-experience what might occur in one's personal future. Our aim is to call attention to this important topic since patients confronted with preference-sensitive treatment decisions could benefit from professional support that promotes the construction of comprehensive and detailed mental simulations of what might affect their future well-being and satisfaction.