Open AccessThe importance of theory and method: A brief reflection on an innovative program of research examining how situational factors influence physicians’ clinical reasoning
Author(s) -
Battista Alexis,
Konopasky Abigail,
Durning Steven J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
faseb bioadvances
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2573-9832
DOI - 10.1096/fba.2020-00109
Subject(s) - situational ethics , process (computing) , test (biology) , reflection (computer programming) , psychology , computer science , situation awareness , management science , data science , knowledge management , social psychology , engineering , programming language , paleontology , biology , aerospace engineering , operating system
Abstract Clinical reasoning, a complex process that involves gathering and synthesizing information to make diagnostic and treatment decisions, is a topic researchers frequently study to mitigate errors. Scientific reasoning has several similarities with clinical reasoning, including the need to generate hypotheses; observe, gather, and interpret evidence; engage in the process of elimination; draw conclusions; and refine and test new hypotheses. However, researchers have only recently begun to take into consideration the role that situational factors (also known as contextual factors), such as language barriers or the lack of diagnostic test results, can play in diagnostic error. Additionally, questions remain about the best ways to teach these complex processes.