This case from my early residency experience poignantly reminds me of the complexities inherent in medical diagnosis, particularly at the intersection of mental health and physical illness. By adopting a holistic and unbiased approach to patient care, emergency physicians and other diagnosticians can better serve their patients, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Dr. Harrell is a PGY-1 emergency physician at Houston Health.

Dr. Bower is an emergency physician at Houston Health.

References

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9. Kunitomo K, Harada T, Watari T. Cognitive biases encountered by physicians in the emergency room. BMC Emerg Med. 2022;22(1):1-8.

Correction: Dr. Harrell’s photo was incorrect and has been replaced. ACEP Now regrets the error.