Miscalibrated Confidence as a Patient‑Safety Risk: Recognizing the Dunning–Kruger Effect in the Neuro ICU

The Dunning-Kruger effect is an underrecognized challenge in neurocritical care, where novice clinicians' overconfidence can harm patient outcomes. This cognitive bias—inflated self-assessment among the inexperienced—can delay acknowledgment of one's limitations and lead to suboptimal clinical decisions. Interventions such as structured mentorship, hands-on simulation training, and the cultivation of cultures that promote reflection and early escalation may help counter this effect and enhance patient safety.