How Doctors Think defines the nature and importance of clinical judgement. Although physicians make use of science, this book argues that medicine is not itself a science but rather an interpretive practice that relies on clinical reasoning. A physician looks at the patient's history along with the presenting physical signs and symptoms and juxtaposes these with clinical experience and empirical studies to construct a tentative account of the illness. How Doctors Think is divided into four parts. Part One introduces the concept of medicine as a practice rather than a science; Part Two discusses the idea of causation; Part Three delves into the process of forming clinical judgement; and Part Four considers clinical judgement within the uncertain nature of medicine itself. How Doctors Think contends that there can be adverse side effects to assuming that medicine is strictly science, and suggests reducing these by recognizing the vital role of clinical judgement.
Reviews
Montgomery's book is a significant contribution to the ongoing discussion over the nature and role of clinical judgement in medical practice and is required reading for anyone interested in it. * Theor Med Bioethics *



Book Information
ISBN 9780195187120
Author Kathryn Montgomery
Format Hardback
Page Count 208
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 514g
Dimensions(mm) 242mm * 162mm * 19mm