Rational Mind and Heuristics in Medical Diagnostic Decision Making.

ABSTRACT

The medical diagnostic label is the most important process in patient management. The decision process involves the thinking process of the caregiver which operates differently in emergencies and outpatient clinic. The heuristics aspect of the mind is more efficient in dealing with emergencies and the slower analyzing mind in outpatient setting. The heuristic approach is useful in rapid decisions and management of emergencies whereas the slower stepwise approach in outpatient treatment will help in reducing investigations, medical errors and cost of care. The article also gives an evidence based template for predicting the disease process based on positive and negative likelihood ratios.