An IDEA: Safety Training to Improve Critical Thinking by Individuals and Teams

Area of Science:

• Cognitive science in healthcare
• Medical education and training
• Patient safety and quality improvement

Background:

• Cognitive errors in thinking lead to patient harm, diagnostic delays, and incorrect treatments.
• Understanding cognitive processes is crucial for error prevention in clinical settings.
• Intra-team conflict can signify failures in collaborative cognitive processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a training program for healthcare providers focused on cognitive bias and conflict resolution.
• To introduce models of cognition, bias, team cognition, and conflict resolution strategies.
• To assess the feasibility, reception, and effectiveness of the critical thinking training.

Main Methods:

• Developed a training program incorporating didactic presentations, group discussion, and simulation.
• Introduced two tools: "IDEA" for de-biasing (Identify assumptions, Don't assume correctness, Explore expectations, Assess alternatives) and "TLA" for conflict resolution (Tell your thoughts, Listen actively, Ask questions).
• Trained 4941 healthcare providers, including physicians and nonphysician caregivers.

Main Results:

• Learners rated the training effectiveness highly at 4.68 out of 5.
• Participants reported perceived improvements in recognizing and managing errors.
• Nonphysician caregivers reported the greatest perceived improvement from the training.

Conclusions:

• Training healthcare providers to enhance critical thinking, manage cognitive bias, and resolve conflicts is feasible.
• The developed training program is well-received and effective in improving error recognition and management.
• Interventions targeting cognitive processes can positively impact patient safety and care quality.