Peter Ubel

Madge and Dennis T. McLawhorn University Distinguished Professor
Peter Ubel
Peter Ubel

Overview

I am a physician and behavioral scientist at Duke University. My research and writing explores the quirks in human nature that influence our lives — the mixture of rational and irrational forces that affect our health, our happiness and the way our society functions. (What fun would it be to tackle just the easy problems?)

I am currently exploring controversial issues about the role of values and preferences in health care decision making, from decisions at the bedside to policy decisions. I use the tools of decision psychology and behavioral economics to explore topics like informed consent, shared decision making and health care spending. My books include Pricing Life (MIT Press 2000) and Free Market Madness (Harvard Business Press, 2009). My newest book, Critical Decisions (HarperCollins), came out in September of 2012, and explores the challenges of shared decision making between doctors and patients.

Positions

Madge and Dennis T. McLawhorn University Distinguished Professor in the Fuqua School of Business

2012 Fuqua School of Business

Professor of Business Administration in the Fuqua School of Business

2010 Fuqua School of Business

Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy in the Sanford School of Public Policy

2010 Sanford School of Public Policy

Professor of Medicine in the School of Medicine

2010 School of Medicine

Professor in Population Health Sciences in the School of Medicine

2020 School of Medicine

Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society in the Institutes and Provost's Academic Units

2017 Institutes and Provost's Academic Units

Core Faculty Member, Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy in the Institutes and Provost's Academic Units

2019 Institutes and Provost's Academic Units

Member of the Duke Cancer Institute in the School of Medicine

2013 School of Medicine

Education

B.A. 1984

1984 Carleton College

M.D. 1988

1988 University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Publications, Grants & Awards

Offices & Contact

100 Fuqua Dr, Box 90120, Room W309
Durham, NC
27708-0120
Duke Box 90120, 100 Fuqua Drive
Durham, NC
27708-0120