Evidence should not be used to enforce mandates

Evidence-based medicine. It is what we all strive to provide. It means employing the most up-to-date knowledge to the approach of medicine, from preventive care to screening to the diagnostic work-up and treatment. Wherever the data point us, that’s what we should do. Yet putting it into practice can sometimes be the most challenging part of being a doctor. I was reminded of just how difficult it is when my patient, Jody (identifying information changed), had a recurrence. She had been diagnosed with a rare type of ovarian cancer 2 years earlier. At surgery, it was confined to the pelvis without evidence of abdominal spread. Chemotherapy had followed, and with each cycle, her CA-125 (which was elevated at diagnosis) had decreased until it reached the normal range. Following her sixth cycle, a post-treatment scan showed no evidence of disease. At her first post-chemotherapy visit, I relayed the results of her CA-125 and CT. “Based on both, you are now in remission.” “Wow,” she said. “I am so relieved this is over. What comes next, though?” Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician Cancer Source Type: blogs