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Animals Quote by Alice Dreger

“Doctors are human animals. They want to be loved, they are tribal, they instinctually favor stories over scientific evidence, they make mistakes, and even small gifts make them susceptible to being biased. If we took doctors seriously as human animals, we might hurt them - and they might hurt us…” quote by Alice Dreger
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“Doctors are human animals. They want to be loved, they are tribal, they instinctually favor stories over scientific evidence, they make mistakes, and even small gifts make them susceptible to being biased. If we took doctors seriously as human animals, we might hurt them - and they might hurt us - a lot less.”

Alice Dreger

About This Quote

Source Essay: The Human Side of Medicine, 2019

Doctors are influenced by emotions and social instincts, which can bias their judgments despite scientific training.

In simple terms: Doctors are human and can be biased.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and mitigate human biases in healthcare.

Themes

bias humanity medicine ethics

Mood

cautious empathetic

Type

analytical reflective

When to use this quote

  • clinical decision making
  • patient communication
  • medical education
  • policy development

Key Concepts

cognitive bias trust patient care

Questions to Reflect On

  • What safeguards can reduce bias in medical practice?
  • How can patients help doctors stay objective?
A Different Perspective

Bias mitigation requires systemic changes beyond individual awareness.

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