Recent Trends In Diagnostic Decision Making In Clinical Practice

Abstract

Clinicians’ practice is prone to complex diagnostic decision making, often in unsecure circumstances, uncertainty, time pressure and incomplete information. Processes of gathering information, drawing meaning, evaluation and coming to a diagnostic decision are influenced by multiple factors. Models of clinical decision making are based on cognitive models of human though and decision making. Knowledge about cognitive models of decision making and understanding possible flaws and biases is important for efficacy of experts’ proficiency in clinical environment. When making diagnostic decisions, one cannot entirely depend on intuitive decisions, as clinical environment is complex and dynamic. Past experience with similar cases is not always a reliable basis, as each case is unique. The importance of research in this direction is exceptionally big in terms of decisions made in clinical environment, where mistakes can cause great negative impact on patients’ health and well-being. We present general theoretical tendencies in the area of decision making – their strengths and weaknesses, also under which circumstances is one or the other method of decision making the better option to use. We also propose an instrument to evaluate psychopathological symptoms, which is intended to help clinicians’ practice in registering and structuring observed symptoms of patient and to direct and assist the decision-making process in clinical practice. Provided are basic psychometric characteristics, evaluating accuracy and eventual practical uses.