Effective Cognitive Responses to Treatment Failure

Half of current treatment plans in psychiatry disappoint, and 3/4 of our medical errors are cognitive in nature. We can positively influence clinical outcomes by reconceptualizing our suboptimal results as single treatment failures (TF) and temporary impasses, rather than misapplying the term “treatment resistance.” Reflective consideration of TF as feedback on our diagnostic and therapeutic hypotheses triggers alterations in our conceptual structure apparatus that can lead to new, creative insights and result in more effective clinical solutions. This requires conscious awareness of our clinical reasoning strategies and the diligent collection, recording, and utilization of our data.