The Dunning-Kruger effect, building confidence, the importance of knowing the "why", when to do nothing

Practical EMS

We talk about EKG interpretation

Adam talks about the power of teaching

Ongoing learning is key to performing well in emergency medicine and medicine in general

We discuss confidence in emergency medicine and The Dunning-Kruger effect:

People with limited competence tend towards an overestimation of their abilities

It is very dangerous at the top of this curve before you recognize your limits

Most of us feel this effect when we are new to a new level or field

Building confidence depends on the individual

I talk about my own overestimation of my abilities as a new EMT

Your partner on the ambulance can really encourage or limit your interaction with the Dunning-Kruger Effect

Even Adam, who admittedly doesn’t lack confidence, took about 3 years as an attending to gain confidence

For Kim, it took about a year to really build confidence, but also notably in a busy system. However, she still wanted time before taking students. She did that at about the 3 year mark.

As a PA, I think experience teaches you where your limits are.

Adam often talks through complicated problems out loud while working in the ED

Kim makes a great point about experienced EMT’s lacking the background knowledge and the “why” behind treatments. This “why” is critical to learn in medicine

Adam tells a story about how the “why” is so important. You cannot blindly treat a number. You must take into account the whole clinical picture.

Doing nothing is the right answer sometimes.

I tell a story about a paramedic, Amanda, and how doing nothing was the right answer for a patient.

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Full show notes can be found here: Episodes - Practical EMS - Content for EMTs, PAs, Paramedics
Most efficient online EKG course here: Practical EKG Interpretation - Practical EMS earn 4 CME and learn the fundamentals through advanced EKG interpretation in under 4 hours.

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Everything you hear today from myself and my guests is opinion only and doesn’t represent any organizations or companies that any of us are affiliated with. The stories you hear have been modified to protect patient privacy and any resemblance to real individuals is coincidental. This is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice nor used to diagnose any medical or healthcare conditions.