Abstract
Background Human decision-making in involves the deliberate formulation of hypotheses and plans as well as the use of subconscious means of judging probability, likely outcome, and proper action.
Rationale There is a growing recognition that intuitive strategies such as use of heuristics and pattern recognition described in other industries are applicable to high-acuity environments in medicine. Despite the applicability of theories of cognition to the intensive care unit, a discussion of decision-making strategies is currently absent in the critical care literature.
Content This article provides an overview of know cognitive strategies, as well as a synthesis of their use in critical care. By understanding the ways humans formulate diagnoses and make critical decisions, we may be able to minimize errors in our own judgments as well as build training activities around known strengths and limitations of cognition.
- Received April 16, 2015.
- Revision received July 18, 2015.
- Accepted August 6, 2015.
