We want to be known for having original ideas, inspired…
“We want to be known for having original ideas, inspired hunches, and gut feelings that make a difference. Indeed, a "well-honed sixth sense"' is considered a measure of the good clinician. But being a good doctor also requires sticking with the best medical evidence, even if it contradicts your personal experience. We need to distinguish between gut feeling and testable knowledge, between hunches and empirically tested evidence.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Medical Conference Keynote, 2019
Balancing intuition with evidence is essential; clinicians must value both creative insight and rigorous data, but prioritize proven facts when they conflict with personal hunches.
In simple terms: Combine intuition with proven evidence.
Key Takeaway
Trust evidence over gut when they clash.
Themes
medicine
clinical judgment
evidence based practice
intuition
decision making
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
advice
professional.
When to use this quote
- diagnosing
- treatment planning
- research evaluation
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
clinical reasoning
patient outcomes
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify a gut feeling?
- When should you override intuition?
A Different Perspective
Intuition can be misleading without data.