Ep 294 - Experts Are Made, Not Born: Sara Crager on Mental Models and Rapid Sequence

Expertise in critical care relies on developing high-fidelity mental models rather than accumulating rote knowledge or meeting arbitrary time thresholds. True mastery requires deliberate practice, where learners break down complex problems, receive expert feedback, and iteratively refine their cognitive strategies. Traditional medical education often fails to teach these underlying thought processes, favoring mnemonics that do not reflect actual clinical decision-making. The "Rapid Sequence" simulation tool addresses this gap by providing a gamified, high-stakes environment where clinicians can practice managing multiple patients and complex physiological scenarios. By making expert mental models explicit and allowing for safe failure, this approach accelerates the transition from novice to expert, moving beyond passive learning to active, iterative skill acquisition. Emergency physician and intensivist Sara Crager highlights these strategies to help clinicians navigate the cognitive demands of the bedside.