Clinical experience may lead to which potential shortcoming?

Overconfidence can be a significant potential shortcoming stemming from clinical experience. As professionals gain experience, there is a tendency to develop a strong sense of certainty regarding their skills and knowledge. This confidence can enhance decision-making in some situations, but it can also lead to overestimating one's capabilities or misjudging the complexity of new or unfamiliar cases.

This overconfidence may result in overlooking new evidence or updates in best practices that contradict established beliefs, thereby hindering continuous learning and adaptation. A practitioner might also inadvertently dismiss emerging concerns from clients or new approaches that could be beneficial, thinking they already have all the answers. Consequently, while clinical experience is invaluable, it is crucial to balance it with humility, ongoing education, and awareness of one’s limits to ensure optimal outcomes for clients.