Medical heuristics: the silent adjudicators of clinical practice
Article Abstract:
Periodic reviews of the principles that guide medical decisions and tracking the results of those decisions may help refine medical care delivery. A researcher analyzed some of these principles that guide medical decisions and proposed some alternative principles. Physicians should be skeptical of new procedures, tests, or drugs if the standard practices are sufficient and also realize that no physician can have all of the answers. It may be advisable to treat patients with abnormal test results even if the patient has few or no symptoms. However, early surgical intervention for patients with few symptoms may not be the most beneficial. Treatment does not necessarily need to wait until the test results are in if symptoms indicate a probable condition. In the face of increased costs associated with drug research it may be advisable to generalize the benefits of older drugs to new drugs in the same class.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1996
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Introduction of the blood pressure cuff into U.S. medical practice: technology and skilled practice
Article Abstract:
The introduction of the blood pressure cuff in the early 20th century illustrates how new medical devices are adopted by the medical profession. Harvey Cushing saw the cuff being used in Europe in 1901, having been invented by an Italian physician. Cushing became an outspoken advocate of the cuff, but other doctors were not so quick to adopt it. There were two other methods in use at the time for measuring blood pressure. Cushing emphasized that nurses could use the cuff and many physicians thus preferred to use methods that required a physician's skill.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1998
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Building measurement and data collection into medical practice
Article Abstract:
A method for incorporating data collection and analysis into medical practice is described. Physicians should evaluate the care they give in order to find better ways of doing things and to improve care for future patients. It is best to begin with a pilot test and to incorporate the data collection into regular patient visits. Data collection can be done by a team rather than a single individual. Graphs can show whether a change in care results in a significant change in patient outcomes provided that baseline data were recorded.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1998
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