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We argue that willpower as well as its depletion may, in some circumstances, adversely impact on clinical decision‐making and patient care. This psychological phenomenon has been dubbed ego depletion in social psychology. Willpower and its depletion which is known as 'ego depletion' are well‐established and validated theoretical constructs in social psychology and have been studied across a range of experimental contexts. Willpower is closely related to the concept of self‐control, which refers to the ability to regulate one's own behaviour and actions in order to pursue and achieve either a short‐ or long‐term goal. We outline the clinical relevance of willpower and its depletion in relation to clinical case examples drawn from three of the authors' clinical experience with the view of developing a clinical‐research agenda for future research studies. We examine willpower and its depletion in the context of three clinical case examples, which include (i) doctor–patient interactions, (ii) willpower and its depletion in relation to challenging interpersonal interactions with clinical and non‐clinical work colleagues and (iii) willpower and its depletion in response to working within a challenging and unpredictable clinical environment. In contrast to the more widely recognised external resources (including space, staff allocations and night shifts), a greater understanding of how this important but under‐recognised internal resource can be depleted in response to a range of different factors within clinical settings has the potential to inform and improve patient care through a renewed focus on the developing interdisciplinary clinical studies which draw upon contemporary findings from social psychology. Future work aimed at developing evidence‐based interventions to help mitigate the negative impact of impaired self‐control and decision fatigue within healthcare systems may in turn lead to improved patient care as well as more effective healthcare service and delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prior research suggests that the quality of communication between doctors and patients influences the quality of medical care and adherence to treatment regimens, but little is known about factors that contribute to successful interactions between doctors and patients. Aim: To examine the quality of communication across the different medical specialties. Methods: A survey questionnaire was undertaken at a large metropolitan‐based hospital in Brisbane, Australia. In this initial study we surveyed 67 doctors across various specialties on a range of social cognition and personality measures. We then rated each of the specialties on the degree to which they rely on both procedures and diagnostics, as well as the extent to which they involve patient communication. Results: A regression analysis using spss 26.0 was undertaken to ascertain if doctor's satisfaction with their communication was related to these three aspects of the various specialties. Results revealed that communication satisfaction was negatively related to the degree to which the specialty relies on diagnostics. No relationship emerged between reliance on procedures and communication satisfaction. Last, communication frequency was positively related to communication satisfaction. Conclusions: We propose two possible accounts for this finding regarding diagnostics: (i) the cognitive demands of diagnosis disrupt communication; and/or (ii) diagnoses are interpreted by patients as opinions with which they are sometimes motivated to disagree. Further research is needed to replicate these findings and establish the underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial donation to reduce the risk of primary mitochondrial disease transmission from mother to child is now permitted under Australian law as part of a clinical trial. The energy demands of pregnancy have the potential to worsen mitochondrial disease symptoms and severity in affected women. We conducted a systematic literature review on mitochondrial disease in pregnancy; five cohort studies and 19 case reports were included. For many women with mitochondrial disease, pregnancy does not have a negative effect on health status. However, serious adverse outcomes may occur. We provide suggested guidelines for preconception counselling and antenatal care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]