MJA
MJA

Hindsight bias in medicolegal expert reports

John B Hickie
Med J Aust 2002; 176 (10): . || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04534.x
Published online: 20 May 2002

To the Editor: I read with interest the recent article by Hugh and Tracy on hindsight bias in medicolegal expert reports. As they themselves admit, "the very seeking of an expert opinion usually indicates that there has been an adverse outcome". In my experience, the unfortunate outcome can usually be predicted within reading the first few paragraphs of the brief. I do not think withholding information on outcome would prevent the occasional use of the "retrospectoscope".

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