Decision making biases in the allied health professions: A systematic scoping review

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240716
• Publication Date: 2020-10-20T17:25:19Z
• Authors: Rebecca Featherston; Laura E. Downie; Adam P. Vogel; Karyn L. Galvin
• Keywords: Decision aids

Objectives Cognitive and other biases can influence the quality of healthcare decision making. While substantial research has explored how lead to diagnostic or errors in medicine, fewer studies have examined they impact making professionals. This scoping review aimed identify synthesise a broad range investigating whether decisions made by allied health professionals are influenced cognitive, affective biases. Materials methods A systematic literature search was conducted five electronic databases. Title, abstract full text screening undertaken duplicate, using prespecified eligibility criteria designed attempting demonstrate presence bias when make decisions. narrative synthesis undertaken, focussing on type profession, decision, reported within included studies. Results The strategy identified 149 Of these, 119 came from field psychology, with substantially social work, physical occupational therapy, speech pathology, audiology genetic counselling. Diagnostic assessment were most common types, assessing treatment, prognostic clinical Studies investigated over 30 biases, including stereotyping anchoring, confirmation bias. Overall, 77% at least one outcome that represented Conclusion provides an overview Biases potential seriously quality, consistency accuracy practice. findings highlight need for further particularly professional disciplines outside reflect real life