diagnostic heuristics

Diagnostic heuristics are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that clinicians use to quickly identify potential causes of a patient's symptoms. Instead of exhaustively testing every possibility, these heuristics help prioritize likely diagnoses based on common patterns, patient history, and key signs. They streamline decision-making, enabling faster, more efficient evaluations while balancing accuracy. However, because they simplify complex information, heuristics can sometimes lead to errors or overlooked conditions if not used carefully. Overall, they are valuable tools that support, but do not replace, thorough clinical judgment.