UCAT Critical Thinking and Problem Solving 3

Question 1

An argument claims that because Hospital X has the best survival rates, it must have the best doctors. Which logical flaw is present?

Accepted Answer

Confusing correlation with causation

Answer

Survival rates may be influenced by many factors (case mix, resources, location) other than doctor quality — the argument confuses association with causation.

Question 2

A clinical scenario describes a conflict between best clinical evidence and a patient's personal wishes. Which ethical principle is most relevant to respecting the patient's wishes?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Autonomy is the principle that patients have the right to make informed decisions about their own care.

Question 3

A health commissioner has evidence that Intervention A saves 10 lives per 1,000 patients and costs $2,000 per patient. Intervention B saves 6 lives per 1,000 and costs $800 per patient. Which intervention is more cost-effective per life saved?

Accepted Answer

Intervention B

Answer

Cost per life saved: A = $2,000 × 1,000 / 10 = $200,000; B = $800 × 1,000 / 6 ≈ $133,333 — Intervention B is more cost-effective.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the term 'equipoise' in clinical trial design?

Accepted Answer

There is genuine uncertainty about which treatment arm is superior

Answer

Clinical equipoise means there is genuine uncertainty in the expert community about which treatment is better, ethically justifying a randomised trial.

Question 5

A news headline states: 'Eating chocolate reduces heart attack risk by 50%.' The underlying study shows a relative risk reduction of 50% with an absolute risk reduction of 0.2%. What is the most accurate interpretation?

Accepted Answer

The relative benefit sounds large but the absolute benefit is very small

Answer

A 50% relative reduction sounds impressive but an absolute risk reduction of only 0.2% means the actual individual benefit is minimal.

UCAT University Clinical Aptitude Test Practice Practice Test

UCAT University Clinical Aptitude Test Practice Practice Test

UCAT Critical Thinking and Problem Solving 3