Cookbook medicine

This was a criticism levelled at evidence based medicine, when it became a way of thinking some years ago.  The criticism was that your doctor would diagnose you, and then look up what to do and do just that.  There was no place for expertise or experience.   Present day diagrams of evidence based medicine include, of course, professional expertise and patient experience, as well as the research evidence. I don't think that was ever a fair criticism, but having had a head injury in September (I fell off my bike), and been in receipt of doctors' advice, I think it misses the point.  The diagnosis may not be easy.  And the evidence may be difficult to find, and when you have found more than one piece of evidence, you may have more than one recommendation.  Following my accident, the DVLA told me I must stop driving.  I had reported the accident in late September, and they told me this in mid January.  This was because I am at an increased risk of a seizure, as a consequence of the head injury.  This is the guidance of their medical panel.However, after I was declared fit for work, and while I was waiting to hear from the DVLA, I asked my GP for advice (the DVLA recommend this, while you are waiting).  They felt I was ok to drive.  They examined me, read my notes, and talked to me (the DVLA had only been able to do the second of those), and they knew what the DVLA would be worrying about and felt I was at...
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