
In this episode of This Is Why, Dr. Busti explores a universal experience for every clinician in the day of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) or Evidence-Based Clinical Practice (EBP) — that uncomfortable moment when you realize you don’t know something you feel you should. Known as cognitive dissonance, this moment can either hinder or drive professional growth, depending on how we respond.
Through the lens of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM), Dr. Busti explains how to recognize the difference between cognitive resonance (knowledge in alignment) and cognitive dissonance (knowledge gap awareness), and how each impacts learning, humility, and patient care.
Learn how balanced self-reflection, humility, and modeling evidence-based thinking can transform those “I don’t know” moments into powerful opportunities for growth and better clinical decision-making.
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to This Is Why
00:44 – When we realize we don’t know something
00:59 – Healthy vs. unhealthy responses to dissonance
01:28 – Quick EBM refresher: balancing evidence, expertise, and patient factors
03:58 – Cognitive resonance vs. dissonance explained in EBM
06:23 – How humility supports lifelong learning
14:10 – The expert’s dilemma: pressure to always know
16:31 – Modeling EBM for the next generation
17:37 – Closing thoughts: turning “I don’t know” into transformation
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in this content.

EBM - Cognitive Resonance vs Dissonance Tables and Graphics
EBM - Cognitive Resonance vs Dissonance Tables and Graphics