How Doctors Think: Clinical Judgment and the Practice of Medicine

Montgomery, Kathryn

ISBN 10: 0195187121 / ISBN 13: 9780195187120

Published by Oxford University Press, 2005

About this Item

New York, 2005, Oxford. First edition. SEVENTH printing. Hardbound. Fine in a fine jacket. A clean tight copy. Smoke-free.

Seller Inventory # OXFORD-A

Bibliographic Details

• Title: How Doctors Think: Clinical Judgment and the Practice of Medicine
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0195187121
• ISBN 13: 9780195187120
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: As New
• Dust Jacket Condition: As New

About this title

Synopsis

How Doctors Think defines the nature and importance of clinical judgment. Although physicians make use of science, this book argues that medicine is not itself a science but rather an interpretive practice that relies on clinical reasoning. A physician looks at the patient's history along with the presenting physical signs and symptoms and juxtaposes these with clinical experience and empirical studies to construct a tentative account of the illness.
How Doctors Think is divided into four parts. Part one introduces the concept of medicine as a practice rather than a science; part two discusses the idea of causation; part three delves into the process of forming clinical judgment; and part four considers clinical judgment within the uncertain nature of medicine itself. In How Doctors Think, Montgomery contends that assuming medicine is strictly a science can have adverse side effects, and suggests reducing these by recognizing the vital role of clinical judgment.

About the Author

Kathryn Montgomery is Professor of Medical Humanities and Bioethics and of Medicine, and Director, Medical Humanities and Bioethics Program, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.