Explicit reasoning, confirmation bias, and illusory transactive memory. A simulation study of group medical decision making

Tschan, Franziska; Semmer, Norbert K.; Gurtner, Andrea; Bizzari, Lara; Spichiger, Martin; Breuer, Marc; Marsch, Stephan U. (2009). Explicit reasoning, confirmation bias, and illusory transactive memory. A simulation study of group medical decision making Small Group Research, 40(3), pp. 271-300. Sage 10.1177/1046496409332928

Text 1046496409332928.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (136kB) | Request a copy

Teamwork is important in medicine, and this includes team-based diagnoses. The influence of communication on diagnostic accuracy in an ambiguous situation was investigated in an emergency medical simulation. The situation was ambiguous in that some of the patient's symptoms suggested a wrong diagnosis. Of 20 groups of physicians, 6 diagnosed the patient, 8 diagnosed with help, and 6 missed the diagnosis. Based on models of decision making, we hypothesized that accurate diagnosis is more likely if groups (a) consider more information, (b) display more explicit reasoning, and (c) talk to the room. The latter two hypotheses were supported. Additional analyses revealed that physicians often failed to report pivotal information after reading in the patient chart. This behavior suggested to the group that the chart contained no critical information. Corresponding to a transactive memory process, this process results in what we call illusory transactive memory. The plausible but incorrect diagnosis implied that the two lungs should sound differently. Despite objectively identical sounds, some physicians did hear a difference, indicating confirmation bias. Training physicians in explicit reasoning could enhance diagnostic accuracy.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	Business School > Institute for New Work
Name:	Tschan, Franziska; Semmer, Norbert K.; Gurtner, Andrea; Bizzari, Lara; Spichiger, Martin; Breuer, Marc and Marsch, Stephan U.
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Publisher:	Sage
Language:	English
Submitter:	Andrea Gurtner
Date Deposited:	17 Feb 2021 12:29
Last Modified:	29 Sep 2021 02:18
Publisher DOI:	10.1177/1046496409332928
Uncontrolled Keywords:	medical emergency driven groups, group decision making, group process analysis
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.14291
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/14291