Manipulation and free will in shared decision making

In recent years, there has been an increased focus on patient involvement in treatment planning in the health care system. To reduce the risk of the clinician moving towards paternalism, various methods have been introduced—shared decision making, among others. The goal of shared decision making is for the clinician and patient to share available evidence on the best treatment and to raise awareness on the needs and preferences of the patient as to make a genuinely informed choice. However, in the present article, we discuss to which degree paternalism can be avoided in light of the clinician's role as an authority with certain knowledge and expertise. Through the philosophical theory of reasons‐responsiveness, we discuss to which extend free will and control applies to the patient. Through theoretical analysis, we come to suggest that the clinician has a role as an ally rather than manipulator.     

The role of geriatric palliative care in hospitalized older adults

ABSTRACT

Take-Away Points:

1. Geriatric palliative care requires integrating the disciplines of hospital medicine and palliative care in pursuit of delivering comprehensive, whole-person care to aging patients with serious illnesses.

2. Older adults have unique palliative care needs compared to the general population, different prevalence and intensity of symptoms, more frequent neuropsychiatric challenges, increased social needs, distinct spiritual, religious, and cultural considerations, and complex medicolegal and ethical issues.

3. Hospital-based palliative care interdisciplinary teams can take many forms and provide high-quality, goal-concordant care to older adults and their families.     

基于频数分析法的骨伤科中成药用药规律研究

目的：探讨骨伤科中成药的用药规律，为临床合理用药及新药开发提供参考。方法：以《中国药典》2015年版一部收载的骨伤科类中成药共149个为研究对象，运用频数分析的方法研究其主治病症、所用剂型、各类方剂高频药物、核心药物组成，分析骨伤科中成药用药规律。结果：常用骨伤科中成药中治疗骨关节痹症的最多，其次为跌打损伤和骨关节退行性疾病的中成药；剂型以胶囊剂、片剂、丸剂为主；以活血化瘀药、祛风湿药、补虚药为核心药物组合，各类方剂中三者比例偏重不同。结论：通过对研究结果进行分析，提出了新药研发的方向。     

Evidence-based Medicine

Summary:  Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has become a watchword for "the new" medical practice in the new century. Whether it represents a paradigm shift or simply a codification of the scientific method in medicine will be debated for years to come. Regardless of the place of EBM in medicine, this "movement" has served an important role in moving physician practice into the realm of becoming more scientific (albeit empirical) and transparent. There are still many problems to be addressed in the global application of the best evidence for medical practice. These include low-quality studies, delays in implementation of clear-cut improvements, outright fraud and deceit, and wariness on the part of physicians to change their practice. By working to understand the underpinnings of EBM (basic statistical concepts and critical thinking) we can advance the practice of medicine along the moral high road of science.     

Concerns for medical radiation programs in Australian universities

The Australian higher education system is in a state of great change. The Federal education minister, Dr Brendan Nelson, has indicated that he intends to continue introducing far-reaching reforms that will impact significantly on how universities conduct teaching and research. The future allocation of government funding for university programs, including those in medical radiation, will have a significant effect on how those programs are delivered and could even determine whether programs remain viable. There will be a financial imperative for academic departments to strengthen research activity and to obtain funding from non-government sources, such as full-fee paying students, in order to generate enough income to cover program delivery. Medical radiation education in Australia is also facing many other challenges. Some of these are longstanding, such as the high cost of medical radiation program delivery, poor levels of research activity and difficulty in recruiting and retaining academic staff. Other problems have arisen recently, such as increased competition for students and a critical shortage of available training placements in clinical practice. The aim of this paper is to raise and explore these issues from a university perspective.     

细菌药敏试验结果的统计分析及反馈

将临床细菌培养及其药物敏感试验结果定期进行统计、分析、反馈，既是医院分级管理和医院感染管理规范的有关内容和要求，更为临床诊断、治疗提供可靠的科学依据。