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. 2004 Jul;2(4):310–316. doi: 10.1370/afm.80

Table 3.

Examples of Low-Level vs High-Level Schemata

Low-Level Schemata High-Level Schemata
I’ve got it! As soon as the patient told me, I knew what he had. I should look beyond early hypotheses.
If the patient is satisfied with the diagnosis of another physician, why should I bother to find out more data? I should always form my own criteria.
When in doubt, choose the simplest or most convenient hypothesis. When in doubt, assume the worst hypothesis.
Complains a lot? He doesn’t have anything! I must take a fresh look - perhaps by recording what the patient expresses and later reading it back, paying attention to the diagnosis that spontaneously comes to mind.