KevinMD August 4, 2024
Harvey Castro, MD, MBA

In the medical field, it’s easy for experienced professionals to fall into the “curse of knowledge” trap. This cognitive bias occurs when someone, having a deep understanding of a concept, assumes that others possess the same level of knowledge. While this is a natural human tendency, it can create significant communication gaps, especially in health care settings.

Understanding the concept

Doctors with extensive knowledge about medical conditions and treatments might inadvertently overestimate the patient’s understanding of their health situation. This can lead to ineffective communication, where critical information is not adequately conveyed or comprehended.

The “curse of knowledge” can affect how health care providers interact with their patients. It is not just about using technical jargon but also about the...

Today's Sponsors

LEK
ZeOmega

Today's Sponsor

LEK

 
Topics: Physician, Provider
109 hospitals receiving new Medicare-backed residency slots
STAT+: UnitedHealth pays its own physician groups considerably more than others, driving up consumer costs and its profits
AI Robot Scanner as Good as Rheumatologists at Assessing RA
Senators urge Congress to avert Medicare physician pay cut
New study offers insights into reliable Alzheimer's diagnosis

Share This Article