Right Brain: Cognitive Dissonance: The Space Between Simulation and Reality.

Abstract

<i>Cognitive Dissonance-The Space Between Simulation and Reality</i> is a fictionalized narrative describing a resident's first time caring for a patient diagnosed with brain death. On paper, the diagnosis seemed straightforward and made logical sense. Unfortunately, the reality of brain death is more complicated, especially in the days after diagnosis. Residency is a time to gain subspecialty knowledge, a task easily accomplished in a classroom. However, the real purpose of residency is the application of learning, and that is the source of this resident's cognitive dissonance-reality does not always neatly align with isolated or idealized beliefs.