[Effect of the use of heuristics on diagnostic error in Primary Care: Scoping review].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the use of representativeness, availability, overconfidence, anchoring and adjustment heuristics in clinical practice, specifically in Primary Care setting.

DESIGN

Panoramic review (scope review).

DATA SOURCES

OvidMedline, Scopus, PsycoINFO, Cochrane Library and PubMed databases. Each one of the selected studies was reviewed applying TIDIER criteria (Template for Description of the Intervention and Replication) to facilitate their understanding and replicability.

SELECTION OF STUDIES

A total of 48 studies were selected that analyzed availability heuristics (26), anchoring and adjustment (9), overconfidence (9) and representativeness (8).

RESULTS

From the 48 studies selected, 26 analyzed availability heuristics, 9 anchoring and adjustment, 9 overconfidence; and 8 representativeness. The study population included physicians (35.4%), patients (27%), trainees (20.8%), nurses (14.5%) and students (14.5%). The studies conducted in clinical practice setting were 17 (35.4%). In 33 of the 48 studies (68,7%) it was observed heuristic use in the population studied. Heuristics use on diagnostic process was found in 27 studies (54.1%); 5 of them (18%) were carried out in clinical practice setting. Of the 48 studies, 6 (12,5%) were performed in Primary Care, 3 of which studied diagnostic process: only one of them analyzed the use of heuristics in clinical practice setting, without demonstrating bias as consequence of the use of heuristic.

CONCLUSION

The evidence about heuristic use in diagnostic process on clinical practice setting is limited, especially in Primary Care.