Illuminating Gestalt in Diagnosing Acute Pulmonary Embolism

In their review, Stüssi-Helbling et al identify myths and realities related to evaluating patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism.1 We agree that the clinical gestalt of experienced physicians has proven noninferior to standardized prediction scores but disagree that it is a subjective assessment enabling the physician to make clinical decisions. Although important, we contend experience alone is insufficient for gestalt development. Here, we shed light on the path toward diagnostic expertise to illuminate gestalt acquisition.