Diagnostic reasoning is a process of data collection and utilizing a systematic approach to formulating a hypothesis and a list of differentials diagnosis. Discuss three errors that can be made by the clinician that can have a direct impact on making the incorrect diagnosis, treatment, and management plan.
Include 3 references
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Introduction:
Diagnostic reasoning is a crucial process in identifying and treating various medical conditions. However, there are several errors that a clinician can make that may result in an incorrect diagnosis, treatment, and management plan. This essay will discuss three common errors that clinicians can make while using diagnostic reasoning.
Three errors that can be made by the clinician while using diagnostic reasoning are as follows:
1. Confirmation bias:
Confirmation bias is a common error that clinicians make during diagnostic reasoning. It is the tendency to seek evidence that confirms the initial diagnosis rather than looking for evidence that contradicts it. This can lead to incorrect diagnoses, treatments, and management plans, as the clinician may overlook important information that could lead to a more accurate conclusion. To avoid confirmation bias, clinicians should consider all available information, including the patient’s medical history, physical examination findings, and diagnostic test results.
2. Premature closure:
Premature closure is another error that clinicians can make while using diagnostic reasoning. It occurs when the clinician reaches a conclusion too quickly and fails to consider alternative diagnoses or further investigations. This error can lead to an incorrect diagnosis, treatment, and management plan, as the clinician may miss important information that could lead to a more accurate conclusion. To avoid premature closure, clinicians should consider all possible diagnoses, and if in doubt, investigate further until they are sure of the correct diagnosis.
3. Anchoring bias:
Anchoring bias is a common error that clinicians make while using diagnostic reasoning. It is the tendency to rely too heavily on the initial information gathered during the diagnostic process, even when new information is presented. This can lead to an incorrect diagnosis, treatment, and management plan, as the clinician may continue to pursue a diagnosis despite evidence to the contrary. To avoid anchoring bias, clinicians should remain open-minded and be willing to revise their diagnosis if new information is presented.
References:
1. Croskerry, P. (2013). From mindless to mindful practice–cognitive bias and clinical decision making. New England Journal of Medicine, 368(26), 2445-2448.
2. Elstein, A. S. (2009). Clinical reasoning in medicine. The Lancet, 373(9661), 411-415.
3. Norman, G. R., Monteiro, S. D., & Sherbino, J. D. (2013). The Causes of Errors in Clinical Reasoning: Cognitive Biases, Knowledge Deficits, and Dual Process Thinking. Academic Medicine, 88(10), 1-7.
