Impact of Attentional Tunneling or the "Tunnel Effect" in Dentistry Multi-centre Cross-sectional Study of a Population of French Practitioners

What this Trial Is About

The trial investigates the impact of attentional tunneling, a cognitive bias where healthcare professionals, including dentists, focus too narrowly on one part of a clinical situation. This bias can lead to errors in medical practice, posing risks particularly in dental and surgical care. The study aims to raise awareness of this phenomenon among dental practitioners in France, as few studies have explored this issue in dentistry. Participants include dental practitioners from hospitals and university centers in Nice, Marseille, and Montpellier, orthodontics residents enrolled in national training programs, and private practitioners attending continuing education courses. They will complete a face-to-face or online survey following a seminar about attentional tunneling organized by experts in the field. During the study, participants will be evaluated on their knowledge of attentional tunneling and associated risk indicators, as well as the prevention strategies they use. The primary outcome is the assessment of their understanding of the tunnel effect. The study involves questionnaires administered at inclusion, with a focus on gathering data on risk factors and proposed means to combat attentional tunneling. The study is observational and open to adult dental professionals.

Impact of Attentional Tunelling on a Population of French Practitioners