DIAGNOSTIC

Question 1

Availability heuristic (bias)

Answer 1

Diagnosis of current patient biased by experience with past cases

A patient with crushing chest pain was incorrectly treated for a myocardial infarction, despite indications that an aortic dissection was present.

Question 2

Anchoring heuristic (premature closure) (bias)

Answer 2

Relying on initial diagnostic impression, despite subsequent information to the contrary

Repeated positive blood cultures with Corynebacterium were dismissed as contaminants; the patient was eventually diagnosed with Corynebacterium endocarditis.

Question 3

Framing effects (bias)

Answer 3

Diagnostic decision-making unduly biased by subtle cues and collateral information

A heroin-addicted patient with abdominal pain was treated for opiate withdrawal, but proved to have a bowel perforation.

Question 4

Blind obedience (bias)

Answer 4

Placing undue reliance on test results or “expert” opinion

A false-negative rapid test for Streptococcus pharyngitis resulted in a delay in diagnosis.

Question 5

Diagnostic reasoning

Answer 5

involves a scientific process in which the provider develops a potential and probable cause of the patient’s signs & symptoms based on the provider’s knowledge.

Question 6

Unconscious Bias

Answer 6

are specific patterns, decision making, behaviors that deviate from optimal decision making, thereby contributing to diagnosis errors.