Cognitive schemes and strategies in diagnostic and therapeutic decision making: a primer for trainees

Abstract

Unlike novices, expert clinicians develop refined schemes and strategies that predictably allow them to provide a better quality, prompt and less error-prone patient care input. Empowering novices with cognitive aids or mental schemes as early as possible in their clinical career may significantly improve their critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills. These cognitive aids may also improve trainees’ use of evidence-based medicine in addition to reducing their diagnostic errors and improving their therapeutic care inputs.