DOI: 10.12890/2021_002575
Diagnostic Bias in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Series of Short Cases
Authors
bill.smith@mkuh.nhs.uk
Keywords
COVID-19, availability heuristic, cognitive bias, diagnostic biasAbstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems have faced unprecedented pressures. One challenge has been to promptly recognise non-COVID-19 conditions. Cognitive bias due to the availability heuristic may cause difficulties in reaching the correct diagnosis. Confirmation bias may also affect imaging interpretation. We report three cases with an alternative final diagnosis in whom COVID-19 was initially suspected: (a) Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia with unrecognised HIV infection; (b) pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosis; and (c) ST elevation myocardial infarction causing acute pulmonary oedema. To help mitigate bias, there is no substitute for thoughtful clinical assessment and critical appraisal when evaluating new information and formulating the differential diagnosis
References
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