Dr. Lin is a new doctor who just finished her medical school residency last year. She is working with Dr. Sevigny, who has 20 years of experience. They are working in the Emergency Room together. A patient comes in with a long list of weird symptoms. Because the symptoms are odd, Dr. Lin decides to ask Dr. Sevigny for some help so she can be sure to provide a correct diagnosis. When the patient says he has a stuffy nose, shoulder pain, and a numb left foot, Dr. Sevigny asks him if he is a firefighter. Dr. Sevigny explains to Dr. Lin that he has seen this group of symptoms together in two patients before, and both of those patients were firefighters he had seen over 10 years ago.
-When Dr.Lin first asks Dr.Sevigny for help,she tells him what she thinks the diagnosis might be.Within two seconds of seeing the patient,and without asking the patient any questions,Dr.Sevigny says that Dr.Lin's original diagnosis is wrong.Dr.Sevigny's statement was made based on ____________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Dr. Sevigny's statement was made based on a heuristic, which is a mental shortcut or rule of thumb based on past experiences or patterns. He quickly recognized the combination of symptoms from his previous experiences with firefighters and used that knowledge to make a diagnosis suggestion.

Dr Lin Is a New Doctor Who Just Finished Her