What is anchoring bias in clinical reasoning?

• A. Over-relying on the first piece of information received and failing to update clinical judgment as new information emerges.
• B. Updating judgments as new information arrives.
• C. Relying solely on patient preferences.
• D. Relying on experimental data.

Answer: (A)

Anchoring bias happens when the first piece of information you encounter strongly shapes your thinking, and you don’t adjust your judgment as new clues come in. In clinical reasoning, that means clinging to an initial impression or diagnosis even after additional data suggests something different. The best choice describes this exactly: you over-rely on the first information and fail to update your assessment as new information arrives.

Think about it in a practical way: if you hear one symptom or a single test result and latch onto it, you may overlook other explanations that become evident later. In physical therapy, this can mean sticking with an initial diagnosis like a meniscal tear or a specific nerve issue, even when progress, response to treatment, or new test results point toward a different cause. The impact is slower or incorrect treatment choices because your reasoning isn’t being recalibrated with fresh evidence.

To reduce anchoring, deliberately pause to re-evaluate the patient’s presentation as new information emerges, generate and test alternative hypotheses, and seek additional data or second opinions when warranted. Using checklists, reflecting on potential biases, and prioritizing patient goals and updated findings helps keep thinking flexible and patient-centered.