Pattern recognition or Patient recognition?: a real clinical improvement

The Diagnostic Improvement theory is based in the assumption that two factors are involved in a diagnostic failure, the system, or the external environment, and the cognitive process of pattern recognition and decision making. Can we select a simple rule with an important impact for improvement?…

The development of these concepts are basic to analize diagnostic errors because systems factors and cognitive bias can be detected and their presence on the clinical practice could be reduced. But, in my opinion, there is a simple rule with a remarkable influence over the patient diagnostic path: first, you have to transmit to the patient and family a real interest on his/her problem and, at the same time, to show a clear attitude for finding a solution. This is the same situation that happens when you go to a general store and no one help you to find what you are looking for.