Horses Quote by Maria Semple
““When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.””
About This Quote
Source Medical Training: Clinical Reasoning, USMLE Prep, 2010
Assume common causes first; rare explanations are less likely.
In simple terms: Think of usual suspects.
Key Takeaway
Start with the obvious.
Themes
diagnosis
critical thinking
probability
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
clinical
educational
When to use this quote
- patient assessment
- triage
- emergency care
Key Concepts
Bayesian reasoning
pattern recognition
diagnostic error
Questions to Reflect On
- What signs suggest a rare disease?
- How do you avoid anchoring bias?
A Different Perspective
Rare conditions can be missed if dismissed too quickly.
