The Cognitive Autopsy

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The Cognitive Autopsy

We are in a thinking profession.  

An outsider looking in on our profession may see procedures and action as the defining characteristics of the practice of Emergency Medicine.  But, reflecting on the attributes of the best EM docs I’ve worked with, their procedural excellence isn’t what stands out.  Thinking back on the great physicians I have met and worked with, the ones I strive to be like every day, it is their ability to think, lead, and educate that sticks with me the most.  

And, it turns out I’m not the only one who might see it like this…

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Lessons in Transport - Cognitive Biases in Critical Care Transport

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Lessons in Transport - Cognitive Biases in Critical Care Transport

As critical care transport professionals we are often perceived as an action oriented specialty. We frequently pride ourselves on procedural excellence and efficiency. (a difficult intubation, or fast scene-time etc.) However, the reality is that we spend the vast majority of our patient care time engaged in cognitive behavior... in THINKING rather than acting!

Because of this, it is imperative that we make every possible effort to understand how we think while caring for others. In addition, we should be aware of some of the cognitive biases that threaten our thinking processes, decision making, and thus the patients who place their trust in us.

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