When the Diagnosis Is Your Own: A Physician's Experience with Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Physicians are often described as poor patients, yet less attention has been given to how clinical expertise may paradoxically delay appropriate care. This narrative describes a physician’s experience of self-diagnosed acute spontaneous pneumothorax with delayed escalation, followed by radiological features suggestive of evolving tension physiology. The account illustrates how professional identity, self-triage, and cognitive framing may influence decision-making in acute illness. It highlights the risk of delayed escalation, even among clinically experienced individuals, and underscores how expertise may paradoxically contribute to hesitation, making delay appear justified. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing cognitive bias in self-assessment and the need for early escalation, even when the diagnosis appears straightforward.