P1- Identifying Cognitive bias in Doctors
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Identifying cognitive bias in the decision making of doctors
IRAS ID
226231
Contact name
Thomas O'Hagan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 0 months, 10 days
Research summary
People are subject to cognitive bias (an often unconscious deviation from rational thought) in the decision making processes. Cognitive bias affects experts (e.g. doctors) just as much as anyone else. Early career doctors especially, are under a great deal of pressure at the beginning of their career and coupled with the limited time that is an ever present feature, means that these doctors are highly susceptible to cognitive bias.
Several biases have been argued to commonly affect medical diagnosis, including anchoring (where exposure to some initial information acts as a reference (anchor) and influences subsequent choices) or framing (where preferences are swayed by the way a question is posed); biases to which we are all extremely susceptible.
Based on reviewing case notes, the study considers all referrals to medicine from the Emergency Department, GPs and clinic (thought to be around 50 per day) where a diagnosis is suggested versus referrals that just give symptoms; the decision making process will be followed to assess whether the referrals with a diagnosis are more prone to cognitive bias and therefore revision. Results will be used to propose interventions that will reduce bias and improve clinical decision making.
This study is, to our best knowledge, the first looking at cognitive bias specifically in terms of initial and ultimate diagnosis, and has the clear potential (and goal) of improving outcomes for patients.
In order to maximise the availability of undergraduate medical students during their project period, the data collection phase of the project will run for a two week period during July 2017.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0359
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jun 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion