Guided Notes
How Clinicians Think & Work
Diagnostic reasoning, heuristics and cognitive biases, information needs at the point of care, interruptions and cognitive load — and what they mean for system design.
Diagnostic reasoning
Slide 1 / 5Clinicians combine two modes (dual-process theory): • System 1 — fast, intuitive pattern recognition ('this looks like appendicitis'). • System 2 — slow, analytical reasoning (differential diagnosis, probabilities, tests). Experts rely heavily on pattern recognition, switching to analysis when something doesn't fit. Good tools support both: quick summaries for System 1, decision aids and evidence for System 2.