Are pathologists self-aware of their diagnostic accuracy? Metacognition and the diagnostic process in pathology.
Clayton DA, Eguchi MM, Kerr KF, et al. Are pathologists self-aware of their diagnostic accuracy? Metacognition and the diagnostic process in pathology. Med Decis Making. 2023;43(2):164-174. doi:10.1177/0272989x221126528.
Metacognition (e.g., when one reflects on one’s own decision and decision making) is an approach to reducing diagnostic errors. Using data from the Melanoma Pathology Study (M-PATH) and Breast Pathology Study (B-PATH), researchers assed pathologists’ metacognition by examining their diagnostic accuracy and self-confidence. Results showed pathologists with increased metacognition sensitivity were more likely to request a second opinion for incorrect diagnosis than they were for a correct diagnosis.