October 23, 2023
The journal Cognitive Research: Principles & Implications published a special issue on the cognitive science of medical expertise, for which LRDC Research Scientist Scott Fraundorf was a co-editor: S. Fraundorf, S. Lajoie, & N. Woods (Eds.) Cognitive Research: Principles & Implications. Along with Fraundorf, LRDC Senior Scientist Timothy Nokes-Malach, Research Scientist Benjamin Rottman, and former graduate student Zachary Caddick co-wrote chapters.
The basic science of expert knowledge and performance has long been of interest in psychology and education, and medicine is an outstanding example. Medical professionals acquire complex, interrelated knowledge and skills — e.g., symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments — over a period of years. They apply their skills in daily professional activities with stakes for patient health and well-being. And, they must keep cognitive skills current even as standards of care change.
At the same time, the acquisition, maintenance, and assessment of medical expertise is in transition, often from point-in-time assessments to more frequent activities designed for both assessment and learning. These transitions present exciting opportunities to apply cognitive science to facilitate the development and retention of medical expertise.
Studies in this special issue examine learning by physicians and other medical professionals anywhere in the continuum from undergraduate study to continuing education. They also probe the cognitive representation and processing of medical knowledge with studies of clinical reasoning or of medical errors. Studies may report novel empirical data and/or theoretical perspectives or reviews.
Rottman, B.M., Caddick, Z.A., Nokes-Malach, Fraundorf, S.F. (2023). Cognitive perspectives on maintaining physicians’ medical expertise: I. Reimagining Maintenance of Certification to promote lifelong learning. In S. Fraundorf, S. Lajoie, & N. Woods (Eds.) Cognitive Research: Principles & Implications.
Caddick, Z. A., Fraundorf, S. H., Rottman; B. M., & Nokes-Malach, T. J. (2023). Cognitive perspectives on maintaining physicians’ medical expertise: II. Acquiring, maintaining, and updating cognitive skills.
Fraundorf, S. H., Caddick, Z. A., Nokes-Malach, T. J., & Rottman; B. M. (2023). Cognitive perspectives on maintaining physicians’ medical expertise: III. Strengths and weaknesses of self-assessment.
Fraundorf, S. H., Caddick, Z. A., Nokes-Malach, T. J., & Rottman; B. M. (2023). Cognitive perspectives on maintaining physicians’ medical expertise: IV. Best practices and open questions in using testing to enhance learning and retention
Nokes-Malach, T. J., Fraundorf, S. H., Caddick, Z. A., & Rottman; B. M. (2023). Cognitive perspectives on maintaining physicians’ medical expertise: V. Using a motivational framework to understand the benefits and costs of testing.