Teaching Cognitive Biases in Clinical Decision Making: A Case-Based Discussion

Chew, Keng Sheng and van Merrienboer, Jeroen and Durning, Steven (2015) Teaching Cognitive Biases in Clinical Decision Making: A Case-Based Discussion. [Teaching Resource]

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	PDF Blueprint Template For Developing Case Scenarios on Cognitive Biases In Clinical Decision Making.pdf Download (108kB)
	PDF Case Scenarios.pdf Download (222kB)
	PDF Instructor's Guide.pdf Download (287kB)
	PDF Discussion Guide.pdf Download (257kB)

Abstract

This resource consists of five case scenarios aimed to teach/test participants in identifying the inherent cognitive biases as well as in considering alternative diagnoses (“thinking out of the box”). These cases are embedded with cognitive biases commonly encountered in the clinical setting. By using a blueprint to guide the creation of these cases, at least two or more aspects of patient care are tested (e.g. history taking, physical exam, data interpretation, diagnosis). Theoretically, each of these cases is framed in such a way as to lead the participants into an obvious diagnosis. But besides the obvious diagnosis, there are subtle clinical cues that point to the likelihood of another more urgent or life threatening diagnosis that must be considered. The participants should be reminded that in real situations, the failure to consider these life-threatening conditions may be detrimental to the patient. Undergirding the construct of these cases is the theoretical basis that if the participants slow down and reflect on questions like "Is there any life or limb threat that I need to rule out in this patient?," "If I am wrong, what else could it be?," or "Do I have sufficient evidences to support or exclude this diagnosis?," the participants are more likely to avoid these cognitive biases and be able to pick up the second diagnoses.

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