What is omission bias in a clinical context?

Omission bias in a clinical context refers to the tendency for individuals, including healthcare providers, to favor inaction or to avoid taking an action that may lead to a negative outcome. This cognitive bias can manifest when clinicians are faced with difficult decisions, especially when the potential consequences of their actions involve risk. For instance, a physician may hesitate to initiate a treatment that carries the risk of adverse effects, even if the treatment may greatly benefit the patient. Instead, they might choose to do nothing, perceiving that inaction is the safer or more ethical option.

This behavior is influenced by the psychological discomfort associated with making decisions that could lead to harm, even if failing to act could also result in negative outcomes for the patient. It highlights how decision-making can be skewed by fear of causing harm or the ethical implications of taking action versus withholding treatment.

In contrast, other biases listed do not specifically capture the essence of omission bias. A preference for aggressive treatment options does not align with the concept of inaction; instead, it indicates a tendency to act decisively. Underestimating patient risks or treatment benefits relates to cognitive distortions about the efficacy and safety of interventions but does not pertain directly to the inclination towards inaction prompted by fear of adverse results