HLTH230 Chapter 4: HLTH 230 Unit 4 Reading 1 - Uncertainty is Hard for Doctors
13 Apr 2018
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Hlth 352 unit 4 reading 1: uncertainty is hard for doctors. Patient (pt) came in, cardiologist recommended icd (defibrillator) implant. Pt had an enlarged heart, but no subnormal rhythms. If subnormal rhythms happened, he could die with no immediate defibrillation, but putting in an icd is invasive and has risks. Ambiguity, grey zone in medical care had to weigh pros and cons, no definite answer. Most of the time, they have to work in those grey zones. I(cid:374) this (cid:272)ase: pt (cid:449)as(cid:374)"t i(cid:374) the (cid:862)high risk(cid:863) a(cid:374)d he (cid:449)as a(cid:374) eth(cid:374)i(cid:272) (cid:373)i(cid:374)ority, underrepresented in these trials. Some doctors try to fight that feeling of uncertainty by being too certain in their recommendations: (cid:862)you (cid:374)eed this a ap(cid:863) thinking about what was best for the patients heart, but not the whole patient. Discussed the pros and cons with the patient risks are more immediate, benefits take longer. Decided to get the icd: procedure was invasive but low risk.
