Clinical reasoning and Decision Making

Overview

This module will introduce students to the psychology of decision making, as applied to in clinical practice, with a view to enhancing their understanding of the decision processes involved in the diagnosis and treatment of patients and to propose ways of improving professional decision making and reducing diagnostic error.

The module will consider and enable the student to:

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the basic epidemiology concepts to apply theory in the critical evaluation of diagnostic tests (Enquiry, Knowledge and Understanding, Learning)
2. Demonstrate the qualities required in taking the initiative to provide innovative solutions in complex and unpredictable situations (Problem Solving, Reflection)
3. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the main approaches to clinical decision making and how they relate to clinical practice (Analysis, Application)
4. Introduce students to the psychology of decision making in clinical practice, enhance understanding of the decision processes, consider ways of improving decision making which aim to reduce diagnostic error.
5. Introduce students to the role of ethics in the decision-making process.
6. Explore the theories of clinical decision making and models and the role of uncertainty.
7. Consider epidemiology concepts and their influence on decision making.
8. Appreciate the concepts of bounded rationality, heuristics, and cognitive biases. Including the investigation of the issues using probabilistic reasoning, clinical error, and clinical error taxonomy.