Shotgunning
Formal Definition
Asking rapid-fire questions or ordering tests without a focused hypothesis.
How It's Used on the Ward
"Stop shotgunning questions" — slow down and think through your differential first.
Example
"Attending: "You asked him about chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, nausea, back pain, and arm pain all in the same breath. Slow down. One question at a time. What's your leading diagnosis?""
Clinical Context
Shotgun history-taking feels thorough but actually yields less reliable information. Patients get confused or flustered. Focused history means starting with the most likely hypothesis and probing from there.
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