Understanding Illness Scripts in Clinical Practice

This chapter explores the concept of illness scripts as vital cognitive tools for clinicians, comparing how novice learners differ from expert clinicians in their diagnostic reasoning. Through case discussions, it emphasizes the importance of recognizing underlying factors and context during patient interviews, particularly in ambiguous cases like fatigue and anemia. The conversation raises significant questions about the development of illness scripts through experience versus structured education, highlighting the nuanced skills required for effective diagnostics.