General approach to the patient
The approach to diagnosis begins with the history and pertinent physical examination, both susceptible to error of omission and commission.
The medical interview serves several functions. It is used to collect information of help in diagnosis, to asses and communicate prognosis, to provide emotional support, and to reach agreement with the patient about further diagnostic procedures and therapeutic option.
Stephen J.McPhee,MD,&Michael Pignone,MD,MPH
www.cmdtlinks.com
Guiding Principles of care
Ethical decisions are often called for in medical practice, at both the “micro” level of the individual patient-physician relationship and at the “macro” level of the allocation or resources. Ethical principles that guide the successful approach to diagnosis and treatment are honesty, beneficence, justice, avoidance of conflict of interest, and the pledge to do no harm.
The physician’s role does not end with diagnosis and treatment. The importance of the empathic clinician in helping patients and their families bear the burden of serious illness and death cannot be overemphasized. “to cure sometimes, to relieve often, and to comfort always” is a French saying as apt today as it was five centuries ago-as is francis peabody’s admonition: The secret of care of the patient is in caring fo the patient”.
Stephen J.McPhee,MD,&Michael Pignone,MD,MPH
www.cmdtlinks.com
Preventive medicine is categorized as primary, secondary, or tertiary. Primary prevention aims to the remove or reduce disease risk factors. Secondary preventive techniques promote early detection of disease or precursor states. Tertiary prevention measure are aimed at limiting the impact of established disease.
