Excellent observation about the kinship between the detection of mystery stories and diagnosis. Unfortunately doctors I encounter these days don't seem to practice diagnosis as a clue-gathering cognitive process. Instead they use categorization. In other words they note the presence of a couple of symptoms and then choose one of the repertoire of protocols that were conveyed to them through their training. That dictates a course of action: a prescription, sequence of tests, surgery. Very little thought required and little attention to the details of the particular situation. Which is convenient for the 8 minutes insurance companies allow for appointments.
Excellent observation about the kinship between the detection of mystery stories and diagnosis. Unfortunately doctors I encounter these days don't seem to practice diagnosis as a clue-gathering cognitive process. Instead they use categorization. In other words they note the presence of a couple of symptoms and then choose one of the repertoire of protocols that were conveyed to them through their training. That dictates a course of action: a prescription, sequence of tests, surgery. Very little thought required and little attention to the details of the particular situation. Which is convenient for the 8 minutes insurance companies allow for appointments.
Yes, the algorithmic or flowchart method is more efficient, but lacks the nuance of sleuthing. Nicely said.