Logical fallacy and cognitive bias challenge: understanding how our thinking shapes our care
Vineand NAIR and Andrea LOEWEN
Every day, family doctors make hundreds of decisions – from diagnosing illness to advising on new treatments. To do so, we rely not only on evidence, but also on intuition, pattern recognition, and experience. Yet, these shortcuts—while efficient—can also mislead us. Logical fallacies and cognitive biases shape how we interpret information, remember outcomes, and respond to patients. Understanding them is essential for better reasoning, communication, and care.This interactive session explores the common cognitive biases and logical fallacies to which all humans are prone. A large grid will list frequent errors in thinking, and attendees then select which concept to “uncover,” prompting a concise, case-based discussion. Each bias is defined, followed by a relevant clinical example. The format encourages humour, participation, and reflection, while reinforcing the key message: awareness of how we think can improve the accuracy of what we think and our confidence in the conclusions we make.While critical thinking is central to evidence-based medicine, a formal review of cognitive biases and logical fallacies is rarely included as part of medical curriculums. This presentation transforms an abstract concept into an accessible learning experience. The format draws on adult learning principles—choice, relevance, and active engagement—to deepen understanding and retention.Seeing these biases illustrated through everyday clinical examples will help participants recognize their own blind spots and how to avoid them. Being aware of them allows us to see the world in a different light and can feel like a "super power," as we navigate a world continually trying to use them to their advantage to make us buy things or think a certain way.Awareness of cognitive bias and logical fallacies doesn’t eliminate it—but it creates the space to pause, reflect, and choose better. That pause is the foundation of good judgment in family medicine, as we take the time to understand not just what we think but also why we think it.By combining humour, participation, and real-world relevance, this session invites clinicians to think about their thinking—and rediscover the fascinating world of how our brains work.
