TY - JOUR
T1 - Polarities in clinical thinking and practice
AU - Sadler, John Z.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
PY - 2017/2
Y1 - 2017/2
N2 - This analysis of a case of a bereaved patient that poses two treatment options-watchful waiting or medication-focuses on five “polarities” in clinical practice: (1) the normal and the pathological, (2) the individual and the diagnostic collective, (3) the primary care physician and the consultant, (4) the expert and nonexpert, and (5) the moment and the process. These polarities can accentuate ethical problems posed by this case, for example, by creating stark contrasts that mask the complex contexts of care and characteristics of patients. These stark contrasts can create false dilemmas that may obscure simpler, shared decision-making solutions. Alternatives to conceiving cases in terms of polarities are discussed.
AB - This analysis of a case of a bereaved patient that poses two treatment options-watchful waiting or medication-focuses on five “polarities” in clinical practice: (1) the normal and the pathological, (2) the individual and the diagnostic collective, (3) the primary care physician and the consultant, (4) the expert and nonexpert, and (5) the moment and the process. These polarities can accentuate ethical problems posed by this case, for example, by creating stark contrasts that mask the complex contexts of care and characteristics of patients. These stark contrasts can create false dilemmas that may obscure simpler, shared decision-making solutions. Alternatives to conceiving cases in terms of polarities are discussed.
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U2 - 10.1001/journalofethics.2017.19.2.ecas1-1702
DO - 10.1001/journalofethics.2017.19.2.ecas1-1702
M3 - Article
C2 - 28225694
AN - SCOPUS:85015580802
SN - 2376-6980
VL - 19
SP - 141
EP - 146
JO - AMA journal of ethics
JF - AMA journal of ethics
IS - 2
ER -