Particular Cases of Metacognitive Processing in Medicine
摘要
Whether physicians should rely on gut feelings in uncertain situations remains debatable. Throughout four sections, this chapter explores another role of metacognitive thinking in medical decision making, particularly intuition and socially shared metacognition (SSM). The first examines intuition from two perspectives: raw, fast and non-deliberative thoughts linked to System 1 thinking and educated intuition, derived from slow thinking, processed through deliberate metacognitive reflection, and associated with System 2 thinking. The second section introduces SSM in the doctor-patient relationship, highlighting its role in fostering explicit metacognition. It demonstrates how SSM enables a joint action effect using a “we-mode,” aligning with the humanistic goals of medical practice. The third section focusses on the significance of metacognition and intuition in managing uncertainty, particularly during crises like pandemics. Finally, the chapter critiques modern medicine’s increasing reliance on technology at the expense of personalised care. It calls for medical professionals to manifest explicit metacognitive awareness, promoting a holistic approach to patient care that restores humanity in medical practice.