Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Operative Experience Among General Surgery Residents: A Multi-Institutional Study from the US ROPE Consortium.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between race/ethnicity and case volume among graduating surgical residents. BACKGROUND: Racial/ethnic minority individuals face barriers to entry and advancement in surgery; however, no large-scale investigations of the operative experience of racial/ethnic minority residents have been performed. METHODS: A multi-institutional retrospective analysis of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education case logs of categorical general surgery residents at 20 programs in the US Resident OPerative Experience Consortium database was performed. All residents graduating between 2010 and 2020 were included. The total, surgeon chief, surgeon junior, and teaching assistant case volumes were compared between racial/ethnic groups. RESULTS: The cohort included 1343 residents. There were 211 (15.7%) Asian, 65 (4.8%) Black, 73 (5.4%) Hispanic, 71 (5.3%) "Other" (Native American or Multiple Race), and 923 (68.7%) White residents. On adjusted analysis, Black residents performed 76 fewer total cases (95% CI, -109 to -43, P <0.001) and 69 fewer surgeon junior cases (-98 to -40, P <0.001) than White residents. Comparing adjusted total case volume by graduation year, both Black residents and White residents performed more cases over time; however, there was no difference in the rates of annual increase (10 versus 12 cases per year increase, respectively, P =0.769). Thus, differences in total case volume persisted over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: In this multi-institutional study, Black residents graduated with lower case volume than non-minority residents throughout the previous decade. Reduced operative learning opportunities may negatively impact professional advancement. Systemic interventions are needed to promote equitable operative experience and positive culture change.

Computational model of integrin adhesion elongation under an actin fiber.

Cells create physical connections with the extracellular environment through adhesions. Nascent adhesions form at the leading edge of migrating cells and either undergo cycles of disassembly and reassembly, or elongate and stabilize at the end of actin fibers. How adhesions assemble has been addressed in several studies, but the exact role of actin fibers in the elongation and stabilization of nascent adhesions remains largely elusive. To address this question, here we extended our computational model of adhesion assembly by incorporating an actin fiber that locally promotes integrin activation. The model revealed that an actin fiber promotes adhesion stabilization and elongation. Actomyosin contractility from the fiber also promotes adhesion stabilization and elongation, by strengthening integrin-ligand interactions, but only up to a force threshold. Above this force threshold, most integrin-ligand bonds fail, and the adhesion disassembles. In the absence of contraction, actin fibers still support adhesions stabilization. Collectively, our results provide a picture in which myosin activity is dispensable for adhesion stabilization and elongation under an actin fiber, offering a framework for interpreting several previous experimental observations.

Disparities in the Operative Experience Between Female and Male General Surgery Residents: A Multi-institutional Study From the US ROPE Consortium.

OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in resident operative experience between male and female general surgery residents. BACKGROUND: Despite increasing female representation in surgery, sex and gender disparities in residency experience continue to exist. The operative volume of male and female general surgery residents has not been compared on a multi-institutional level. METHODS: Demographic characteristics and case logs were obtained for categorical general surgery graduates between 2010 and 2020 from the US Resident OPerative Experience Consortium database. Univariable, multivariable, and linear regression analyses were performed to compare differences in operative experience between male and female residents. RESULTS: There were 1343 graduates from 20 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited programs, and 476 (35%) were females. There were no differences in age, race/ethnicity, or proportion pursuing fellowship between groups. Female graduates were less likely to be high-volume residents (27% vs 36%, P < 0.01). On univariable analysis, female graduates performed fewer total cases than male graduates (1140 vs 1177, P < 0.01), largely due to a diminished surgeon junior experience (829 vs 863, P < 0.01). On adjusted multivariable analysis, female sex was negatively associated with being a high-volume resident (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.56 to 0.98, P = 0.03). Over the 11-year study period, the annual total number of cases increased significantly for both groups, but female graduates (+16 cases/year) outpaced male graduates (+13 cases/year, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Female general surgery graduates performed significantly fewer cases than male graduates. Reassuringly, this gap in operative experience may be narrowing. Further interventions are warranted to promote equitable training opportunities that support and engage female residents.

Canadian Association of Radiologists Trauma Diagnostic Imaging Referral Guideline.

The Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) Trauma Expert Panel consists of adult and pediatric emergency and trauma radiologists, emergency physicians, a family physician, a patient advisor, and an epidemiologist/guideline methodologist. After developing a list of 21 clinical/diagnostic scenarios, a systematic rapid scoping review was undertaken to identify systematically produced referral guidelines that provide recommendations for 1 or more of these clinical/diagnostic scenarios. Recommendations from 49 guidelines and contextualization criteria in the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) for guidelines framework were used to develop 50 recommendation statements across the 21 scenarios related to the evaluation of traumatic injuries. This guideline presents the methods of development and the recommendations for head, face, neck, spine, hip/pelvis, arms, legs, superficial soft tissue injury foreign body, chest, abdomen, and non-accidental trauma.

The impact of cognitive biases, mental models, and mindsets on leadership and change in the health system.

Understanding how cognitive biases, mental models, and mindsets impact leadership in health systems is essential. This article supports the notion of cognitive biases as flawed thinking or cognitive traps which negatively influence leadership. Mental models that do not fit with current evidence limit our ability to comprehend and respond to system issues. Resulting mindsets affect cognition, behaviour, and decision-making. Metacognition is critical. The wicked problems in today's complex health system require leaders and everyone involved to elevate their personal, organizational, and disciplinary perspectives to a systems level. Three examples of mental models/mindsets are reviewed. They do not change simply because we wish or will them to. The first step is being aware of what they are and how they impact our thinking and decision-making. Some tips for managing these traps are offered as examples of how to challenge our leadership approach in the health system.

Health Care Provider Utilization of Prescription Monitoring Programs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the literature on the proportion of health care providers who access and use prescription monitoring program data in their practice, as well as associated barriers to the use of such data. DESIGN: We performed a systematic review using a standard systematic review method with meta-analysis and qualitative meta-summary. We included full-published peer-reviewed reports of study data, as well as theses and dissertations. METHODS: We identified relevant quantitative and qualitative studies. We synthesized outcomes related to prescription monitoring program data use (i.e., ever used, frequency of use). We pooled the proportion of health care providers who had ever used prescription monitoring program data by using random effects models, and we used meta-summary methodology to identify prescription monitoring program use barriers. RESULTS: Fifty-three studies were included in our review, all from the United States. Of these, 46 reported on prescription monitoring program use and 32 reported on barriers. The pooled proportion of health care providers who had ever used prescription monitoring program data was 0.57 (95% confidence interval: 0.48-0.66). Common barriers to prescription monitoring program data use included time constraints and administrative burdens, low perceived value of prescription monitoring program data, and problems with prescription monitoring program system usability. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that health care providers underutilize prescription monitoring program data and that many barriers exist to prescription monitoring program data use.

Acceptability and Co-Development of an Online Cognitive Bias Modification Intervention for Emerging Adults With Hazardous Alcohol Use and Social Anxiety: A Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Approach bias modification (ApBM) and interpretation bias modification (IBM) are two promising adjunct treatments for alcohol use and social anxiety, respectively. However, the acceptability of combining ApBM and IBM into one program for people who experience both of these disorders is unknown. The present study describes the codevelopment of a new, hybrid ApBM + IBM program and provides insight into the perceptions of acceptability from service providers and emerging adults. METHODS: Service providers (n = 14) and emerging adults aged 18 to 25 years with lived experience of hazardous alcohol use and heightened social anxiety (n = 15) were recruited via online advertisements and through existing networks. All participants were shown a beta version of the program and asked to complete qualitative and quantitative questions to ascertain feedback on the program's acceptability and suggestions for improvement. RESULTS: Themes emerged relating to the ApBM + IBM program's quality and usefulness, appropriateness, motivation and engagement, and potential clinical value. The program was well received and deemed acceptable for the target age group. It was rated particularly highly with regard to the overall quality and ease of use. Emerging adults had fewer suggestions for how the intervention might be revised; however, there were suggestions from both groups regarding the need for a compelling rationale at the outset of treatment and a suggestion to include a motivational interviewing and psychoeducational-based module prior to the first training session, to increase user buy-in and engagement. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings reflect positively on the acceptability of a hybrid ApBM + IBM for emerging adults with co-occurring hazardous alcohol use and social anxiety. Service providers and emerging adults identified a number of ways to improve the design and implementation of the program, which will likely improve adherence to, and outcomes of, the intervention when added as an adjunct to treatment as usual.

Attitudes Toward Influenza Vaccination Administration in the Emergency Department Among Health Care Providers: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Influenza is a burdensome and vaccine-preventable infectious disease. Lack of time was reported as a common barrier by Canadians who did not receive their influenza vaccine. Increasing convenient access to vaccination increases uptake, and a potential setting for vaccine administration is the emergency department, where long wait times are common. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey to gauge health care provider support and perceived barriers and facilitators to delivering influenza vaccine was conducted at 1 emergency and trauma center in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Anonymous questionnaires were completed by a convenience sample of emergency nurses, physicians, and paramedics (n = 82). RESULTS: In total, 86% (n = 68) of health care providers supported vaccination in the emergency department when sufficient staffing and resources were available. When asked to consider implementation of influenza vaccination in the emergency department based on current staffing and resources, only 59% (n = 48) supported making vaccination available. Most surveyed health care providers preferred screening for vaccination at triage (57%) and supported a nurse-initiated protocol for vaccine administration (74%). After Bonferroni correction, there was no significant association between preference for when to vaccinate and being a nurse or physician (χ2(2) = 6.208, P = 0.05). The highest risk patient groups with the lowest provider endorsement of vaccination were people involved in poultry culling (77%) and pregnant women (83%). DISCUSSION: Surveyed health care providers were supportive of ED influenza vaccination. However, this study revealed additional barriers that need to be addressed to effectively launch such a program.

Attitudes Toward Influenza Vaccination Administration in the Emergency Department Among Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Influenza is a serious, vaccine-preventable illness. The current vaccination rates in Canada are below target rates, highlighting the potential need for more convenient ways to receive vaccinations. Wait times to be seen in Canadian emergency departments are escalating, and using the time spent waiting to offer and administer an influenza vaccine could potentially improve ease of access to immunization for some Canadians. METHODS: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to gauge public interest and identify perceived barriers and facilitators to influenza vaccine availability in a Canadian emergency and trauma center. Anonymous questionnaires were completed by a convenience sample of adult patients classified as low acuity (n = 151) as 1 arm of a 2-arm study. RESULTS: Of the unvaccinated patients, 34.6% expressed willingness to be vaccinated in the emergency department. The patients who had received a vaccine in the previous year were significantly more willing to accept the vaccine in the emergency department (χ2 [1] = 23.78, P < 0.001). The 3 top factors associated with having received vaccination in the previous year include trust in vaccine information (χ2 [2] = 27.34, P < 0.001), immunity preferences (χ2 [2] = 32.25, P < 0.001), and beliefs about efficacy (χ2 [2] = 44.90, P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Patients classified as low acuity were supportive of ED influenza vaccination. In addition, some of the unvaccinated participants had unmet education needs (ie, regarding trustworthy sources of vaccine information, immunity, and vaccine efficacy) that would require addressing before they would likely consider receiving influenza vaccination in future during their ED visit.

Intravenous cefazolin plus oral probenecid versus oral cephalexin for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections: a double-blind, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine if cephalexin 500 mg orally four times daily was non-inferior to cefazolin 2 g intravenously daily plus probenecid 1 g orally daily in the management of patients with uncomplicated mild-moderate skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) presenting to the ED. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicentre, double dummy-blind, randomised controlled non-inferiority trial conducted at two tertiary care teaching hospitals in Canada. Patients were enrolled if they presented to the ED with an uncomplicated SSTI, and randomly assigned in a 1:1 fashion to oral cephalexin or intravenous cefazolin plus oral probenecid for up to 7 days. The primary outcome was failure of therapy at 72 hours. Clinical cure at 7 days, intravenous to oral medication transition admission to hospital and adverse events were also evaluated. RESULTS: 206 patients were randomised with 104 patients in the cephalexin group and 102 in the cefazolin and probenecid group. The proportion of patients failing therapy at 72 hours was similar between the treatment groups (4.2% and 6.1%, risk difference 1.9%, 95% CI -3.7% to 7.6%). Clinical cure at 7 days was not significantly different (100% and 97.7%, risk difference -2.3%, 95% CI -6.7% to 0.8%). CONCLUSION: Cephalexin at appropriate doses appears to be a safe and effective alternative to outpatient parenteral cefazolin in the treatment of uncomplicated mild-moderate SSTIs who present to the ED. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01029782; Results.

Capnography versus standard monitoring for emergency department procedural sedation and analgesia.

BACKGROUND: Procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) is used frequently in the emergency department (ED) to facilitate painful procedures and interventions. Capnography, a monitoring modality widely used in operating room and endoscopy suite settings, is being used more frequently in the ED setting with the goal of reducing cardiopulmonary adverse events. As opposed to settings outside the ED, there is currently no consensus on whether the addition of capnography to standard monitoring modalities reduces adverse events in the ED setting. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether capnography in addition to standard monitoring (pulse oximetry, blood pressure and cardiac monitoring) is more effective than standard monitoring alone to prevent cardiorespiratory adverse events (e.g. oxygen desaturation, hypotension, emesis, and pulmonary aspiration) in ED patients undergoing PSA. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2016, Issue 8), and MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL to 9 August 2016 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomized trials of ED patients requiring PSA with no language restrictions. We searched meta-registries (www.controlled-trials.com, www.clinicalstudyresults.org, and clinicaltrials.gov) for ongoing trials (February 2016). We contacted the primary authors of included studies as well as scientific advisors of capnography device manufacturers to identify unpublished studies (February 2016). We handsearched conference abstracts of four organizations from 2010 to 2015. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included any RCT or quasi-randomized trial comparing capnography and standard monitoring to standard monitoring alone for ED patients requiring PSA. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently performed study selection, data extraction, and assessment of methodological quality for the 'Risk of bias' tables. An independent researcher extracted data for any included studies that our authors were involved in. We contacted authors of included studies for incomplete data when applicable. We used Review Manager 5 to combine data and calculate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using both random-effects and fixed-effect models. MAIN RESULTS: We identified three trials (κ = 1.00) involving 1272 participants. Comparing the capnography group to the standard monitoring group, there were no differences in the rates of oxygen desaturation (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.63; n = 1272, 3 trials; moderate quality evidence) and hypotension (RR 2.36, 95% CI 0.98 to 5.69; n = 986, 1 trial; moderate quality evidence). There was only one episode of emesis recorded without significant difference between the groups (RR 3.10, 95% CI 0.13 to 75.88, n = 986, 1 trial; moderate quality evidence). The quality of evidence for the primary outcomes was moderate with downgrades primarily due to heterogeneity and reporting bias.There were no differences in the rate of airway interventions performed (RR 1.26, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.69; n = 1272, 3 trials; moderate quality evidence). In the subgroup analysis, we found a higher rate of airway interventions for adults in the capnography group (RR 1.44, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.79; n = 1118, 2 trials; moderate quality evidence) with a number needed to treat for an additional harmful outcome of 12. Although statistical heterogeneity was reduced, there was moderate quality of evidence due to outcome definition heterogeneity and limited reporting bias. None of the studies reported recovery time. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of convincing evidence that the addition of capnography to standard monitoring in ED PSA reduces the rate of clinically significant adverse events. Evidence was deemed to be of moderate quality due to population and outcome definition heterogeneity and limited reporting bias. Our review was limited by the small number of clinical trials in this setting.

Cognitive bias in health leaders.

Cognitive bias can be a serious impediment to rational decision-making by health leaders. We use a hypothetical case study to introduce some basic concepts of bias with examples of mitigation strategies. We argue that the effect of biases should be considered when making every significant administrative decision.

Emergency Procedural Sedation With Propofol in Older Teenagers: Any Cause for Concern?

INTRODUCTION: Propofol is a standard for adult emergency department procedural sedation (EDPS). Use in pediatric patients remains controversial. Our primary objective was to investigate whether adverse events occurred more frequently in teenage pediatric patients receiving propofol for EDPS. METHODS: This retrospective study examines records from the Halifax Procedural Sedation Registry, collected between January 1, 2006 and May 31, 2013. Patients undergoing EDPS using propofol were divided into those aged 16 to 19 years (teenagers), 20 to 65 years (adults), and older than 65 years (seniors). The primary outcomes were the incidences of hypotension and hypoxia. RESULTS: Four thousand sixty-three EDPSs were included in the analysis, of which 230 involved teenagers, 2853 adults (mean age, 43.0 years), and 980 seniors (mean age, 77.1). The teenage group was significantly less likely to develop hypotension or hypoxia. These differences were confirmed on multivariate analysis. Patients in the teenage group received higher doses of propofol per kilogram/minute than the other groups. No other differences met statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Teenage patients receiving EDPS with propofol had a lower incidence of adverse events, and both received and tolerated larger adjusted doses of medication than older patients. Satisfaction and duration of EDPS were similar. Concerns about propofol use in younger patients have not been supported by this study. We believe that these findings support the use of propofol for EDPS in older teenagers.

Halifax somatic symptom disorder trial: A pilot randomized controlled trial of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Patients commonly present at hospital Emergency Departments (ED) with distress that meet criteria for a Somatic Symptom and Related Disorder (SSRD). Without access to effective treatment, risk of ongoing patient disability and further ED visits is high. METHOD: This pilot trial used a randomized parallel group design to test the efficacy of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). ED patients who met criteria for SSRD were recruited. The effects of ISTDP plus medical care as usual (MCAU) were judged through comparison against 8 weeks of MCAU plus wait-list symptom monitoring (WL-SM). The primary outcome was somatic symptom at 8 weeks. Patients allocated to WL-SM could cross-over to receive ISTDP and 6-month follow-up data was collected. Baseline measures of patient attachment style and alexithymia were collected to examine vulnerabilities to somatic symptoms. CLINICALTRIALS: gov: NCT02076867. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were randomized to 2 groups (ISTDP = 19 and WL-SM = 18). Multi-level modelling showed that change over time on somatic symptoms was significantly greater in the ISTDP group. Between-group differences were large at 8 weeks (Cohen's d = 0.94) and increased by end of treatment (Cohen's d = 1.54). Observed differences in symptoms of depression and illness anxiety were also large, favoring ISTDP, and effects were maintained at follow-up. Patients receiving ISTDP had reduced ED service utilization at 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: ISTDP appears an efficacious treatment for SSRD and a larger randomized trial is justified.

Propofol for procedural sedation in the emergency department: a qualitative systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of propofol compared to other agents for procedural sedation of adults in the emergency department (ED) and to review the use of opioids in conjunction with propofol for procedural sedation in the ED. DATA SOURCES: PubMed (1949-December 2012) and EMBASE (1980-December 2012) were searched using combinations of the following search terms: (procedural sedation or conscious sedation [MESH]) and propofol. A manual search of references was also performed. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: English-language, full reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies evaluating propofol use in adults undergoing procedural sedation in the ED were included if they reported efficacy or safety outcomes. Two reviewers independently assessed each article for inclusion, data extraction, and study limitations. DATA SYNTHESIS: Thirteen RCTs and 20 observational studies meeting our inclusion criteria were retrieved. Regardless of the agent used for sedation, pro ce du ral success was greater than 80% and most trials demonstrated no statistically significant difference in the incidence of respiratory depression with propofol compared to alternatives. One RCT showed a significantly greater percent decrease in systolic blood pressure from baseline in those who received propofol compared to ketamine. Where reported, no significant difference was found in patient recall, pain, and satisfaction when opioids were added to propofol com pared to propofol alone; the addition of opioids may have resulted in a higher incidence of respiratory adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol for procedural sedation is a reasonable alternative for use in the ED, with comparative efficacy and safety to other alternatives. Use of opioids in addition to propofol may not provide added benefit but does contribute to increased rates of adverse events.

Homelessness and Emergency Department Use: Wait Time Disparities Across Triage Acuity Levels.

Introduction Certain patient groups perceive specific barriers to accessing primary care, resulting in increased emergency department (ED) use for non-emergency conditions. There is evidence coming from other countries that homeless people are treated differently in accessing emergency services. Examination of ED wait time by demographic characteristics provides pertinent information to identify subgroups that are more subject to the consequences or causes of access block and delayed treatment.  Methods We analyzed five years of Emergency Department Information System (EDIS) visit records of the largest tertiary care center in Atlantic Canada. The wait time from triage to seeing a physician was the outcome, housing status was the main exposure, and age and gender were the predictors. Quantile regressions were carried out to identify the influence of homeless visits in meeting the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) wait time benchmarks for each Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) level. The classification and regression tree method was used to quantify and classify the demographic subgroups contributing to wait time disparities across CTAS levels. Results Homeless visit median wait times that exceeded the three-hour CAEP benchmark were significantly longer for urgent (by 40 minutes, CI: 25-55), semi-urgent (by 31 minutes, CI: 17-45), and non-urgent (by 57 minutes, CI: 25-89) than acuity level-matched domiciled visit wait times. At the 50th percentile, one-hour benchmark homeless triaged as semi-urgent waited (median=20 minutes, CI: 12-28) longer, and no other triage-level differences were found at this benchmark. Homeless emergent-level visits that exceeded the three-hour benchmark were 28 minutes, on average, shorter than domiciled patients of the same acuity level. Homeless females above 40 stayed the longest for non-urgent care (mean=173 minutes), 82 minutes longer (p=0.0001) than age-gender-acuity level-matched domiciled patients. Homelessness was the most prominent ED wait time classifier for non-urgent, ED visits. Overall, homeless patients triaged as CTAS-5 waited 30 minutes longer (p=0.0001) than domiciled patients triaged as CTAS-5. Homeless male 16-20-year-olds waited the shortest time of 72 minutes.  Conclusion Homelessness-related wait time disparities exist in the low acuity non-urgent-level ED visits more than in the other levels, supporting the theory that lack of primary care access is a driver of ED use in this group. Our acuity level analysis supports that homeless people of a certain age (older) and gender groups (female) wait longer than their age-gender-matched domiciled patients to be seen by a physician in low acuity level presentations. Given the pattern of the homeless being seen earlier or statistically similar in emergent-level visits compared to matched domiciled patients and that 16-20-year-old homeless males were seen on average within 72 minutes (the shortest mean wait time reported for the triage level CTAS-5), we decline the notion of discrimination at the study site ED. If homeless patients' non-urgent needs were met elsewhere, pressure on the ED to meet benchmarks might be reduced.

The challenge of cognitive science for medical diagnosis.

The historical tendency to view medicine as both an art and a science may have contributed to a disinclination among clinicians towards cognitive science. In particular, this has had an impact on the approach towards the diagnostic process which is a barometer of clinical decision-making behaviour and is increasingly seen as a yardstick of clinician calibration and performance. The process itself is more complicated and complex than was previously imagined, with multiple variables that are difficult to predict, are interactive, and show nonlinearity. They appear to characterise a complex adaptive system. Many aspects of the diagnostic process, including the psychophysics of signal detection and discrimination, ergonomics, probability theory, decision analysis, factor analysis, causal analysis and more recent developments in judgement and decision-making (JDM), especially including the domain of heuristics and cognitive and affective biases, appear fundamental to a good understanding of it. A preliminary analysis of factors such as manifestness of illness and others that may impede clinicians' awareness and understanding of these issues is proposed here. It seems essential that medical trainees be explicitly and systematically exposed to specific areas of cognitive science during the undergraduate curriculum, and learn to incorporate them into clinical reasoning and decision-making. Importantly, this understanding is needed for the development of cognitive bias mitigation and improved calibration of JDM in clinical practice.