The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Perspectives

Use of Anecdotes in Teachable Moments: An Opportunity to Mitigate Cognitive Bias and Achieve Wisdom

Authors: Benjamin G. Miller, MD, Michael D. Fox, MD, MEd, Katharina Hayes, MD, Neema Shah, MD, Eleanor Sharp, MD, MS, John Szymusiak, MD, MS

Abstract

Since the Institute of Medicine published To Err is Human in 2000,1 much attention has been paid to medical errors as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in medicine. Soon after, researchers began exploring the reasons behind medical errors. Some literature estimates that cognitive errors play a role in up to 70% of medical errors,2 with cognitive bias as a major contributor to cognitive error.3,4

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