Why can clinicians read the same evidence and reach different conclusions? Simon Carley uses a Bayesian analogy to explore how prior beliefs shape critical appraisal and thresholds for changing practice, suggesting ways to recognise those beliefs before interpreting a new paper.
Bayes and Belief: How pre-review belief influences critical appraisal. St Emlyn’s Read More
When does presumed alcohol intoxication conceal something more serious? Natalie May reviews two observational studies of altered consciousness, including patients without detectable alcohol and those with coexisting critical illness. The discussion explores diagnostic bias, the limits of alcohol testing and the importance of looking beyond the initial label.
When clinical findings and test results conflict, how should we rethink a diagnosis? Natalie May uses a case and thought experiments to explore heuristics, cognitive bias and probability, showing why more tests alone cannot resolve uncertainty in emergency medicine.
When is a Door Not a Door? Bias, Heuristics & Metacognition Read More
