A spherical fuzzy TOPSIS method for solving the physician selection problem

Abstract

The membership functions of the intuitionistic fuzzy sets, Pythagorean fuzzy sets, neutrosophic sets and spherical fuzzy sets are based on three dimensions. The aim is to collect the expert’s judgments. Physicians serve patients in the physician selection problem. It is difficult to measure the service’s quality due to the variability in patients’ preferences. The patients physician preference criteria is differing and uncertainties. Thus, solving this problem with fuzzy method is more appropriate. In this study, we considered the physician selection as a multi-criteria decision-making problem. Solving this problem, we proposed a spherical fuzzy TOPSIS method. We used the five alternatives and eight criteria. The application was performed in the neurology clinics of Konya city state hospitals. In addition, we solved the same problem by the intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS method. We compared the solutions of two methods with each other. We found that the spherical fuzzy TOPSIS method is effective for solving the physician selection problem.