HMA - Uncertainty, Bias, and Ethics

System 1 thinking

fast, automatic and intuitive thinking that requires little conscious effort. It relies on instincts, patterns and immediate impressions.

System 2 thinking

Slow, deliberate and analytical thinking that requires conscious mental effort. It is used for complex problems, calculations and careful decision-making.

Anchoring

fixating on previous diagnosis or specific feature of presentation early in the process, informing decisions.

Premature closure

stopping the diagnostic process too early after reaching an initial explanation or diagnosis.

Satisficing

accepting the first diagnosis that seems good enough rather than continuing to search for alternatives.

Confirmation bias

seeking or interpreting information that supports an existing belief while overlooking contradictory evidence.

Availability bias

overestimating diagnoses or events that are easily recalled or recently encountered.

Base-rate neglect

ignoring the underlying prevalence of a condition when interpreting individual clinical information, such as looking for rare conditions.

Diagnostic momentum

initial diagnosis becoming accepted and carried forward by subsequent clinicians without reassessment.

Affective bias

allowing personal feelings or emotional reactions toward a patient to influence clinical judgement, such as distrusting a difficult patient.

Moral dilemma

A situation where two or more ethical principles or values conflict, making it difficult to determine the morally right action.

Common morality

Basic moral beliefs and rules widely shared within a society or culture about what is right and wrong.

Autonomy

Respecting a patient's right and ability to make informed decisions about their own healthcare.

Beneficence

The duty to act in the patient's best interests and promote their wellbeing.

Non-maleficence

The duty to avoid causing harm to the patient — “do no harm.”

Justice

Treating people fairly and distributing healthcare resources, benefits, and burdens equitably.

Veracity

The duty to be truthful and honest with patients.

Privacy

A patient's right to control access to their personal information, body, and personal space.

Confidentiality

The duty of healthcare professionals to protect a patient's personal and medical information from unauthorised disclosure.

Fidelity

The duty to be loyal, trustworthy, and keep commitments made to patients.