RVTS recently hosted the 3rd annual RVTS Grand Round Webinar.
We were delighted to be joined by Art Nahill and Nic Szecket from IMReasoning, amongst others, who discussed a case in the form of a “cognitive autopsy” – with all the benefits of hindsight. The discussion highlights that diagnostic errors occur surprisingly commonly!
The webinar attendees were invited to participate in the discussion via polls, and you’ll be able to match your thoughts with those of the live audience.
View the discussion here (18min 50 sec)
Art and Nic shared a Cognitive Checklist that could be used for each and every patient encounter. When making a clinical diagnosis, ask yourself:
- What else can it be?
- What is the worst it could be?
- What doesn’t fit?
- Do I need to slow down
Several times during our busy days, we should therefore pause to think things through and attempt to become aware of what may be influencing your decision. While few diagnoses we make are textbook cases, or clear cut decisions … by being consciously aware of our thought processes, the risk of error can be reduced.
Visit the IMReasoning website for more great content from Art and Nic.
Join us next month for Part 2 of the Grand Round, where we will look at a second case: you will get to choose our own adventure… and the patient’s outcome.
“ There can be few physicians so dedicated to their art that they do not experience a slight decline in spirits when they learn that their patient’s complaint is dizziness.”
— Matthews WB. Practical neurology. Oxford: Blackwell, 1963.
Everybody has biases. It is part of human condition and It is wiser to recognise our biases and then learn to avoid them instead of pretending that they do not exist or that they ‘should’ not exist. This is our nature. Defy nature with noblest of intent, and the gateways to hell will be opened.
“You may use a pitchfork to force the nature out, but in the end it hastens back and will triumph.”
(naturam expelles furca, tamen usque recurret)
— Horace.