Wardround 16iii7

This week's discussion and tutorials were based on the plague of Athens as described by Thucydides. The diagnoses suggested were: Ebola (DF), Anthrax (RT), Unknown (DK), and Measles (DL). You might want to reflect that each of you chose an 'organism' rather than a 'syndrome'. Dr Taylor might dispute this having described different clinical syndromes of anthrax, but her diagnosis was still organism based. Infectious disease diagnosis in clinical practice is ususally of a clinical syndrome first and possible organisms (note the plural) next.
If you would like to see a published discussion about the plague of Athens have a look at The cause of the plague of Athens: plague, typhoid, typhus, smallpox, or measles? Burke A. Cunha, Infect Dis Clin N Am 18 (2004) 29–43.

The prize for best argument/talk this week goes to DF.

Next week's talks are about the approach to a patient with abnormal LFTs:
Imaging (DL)
Viral serology (DF)
Autoimmune serology (DK)
Genetic screening (RT)

Keep to time, no more than two minutes and try to base the talk on the clinical scenario of a patient with abnormal LFTs.

This week’s readings are about lying. First I would like you to read Hugh Gallagher’s essay which can be found at this site. Then brace yourself and read Lying to Each Other. When Internal Medicine Residents Use Deception With Their Colleagues. Michael J. Green, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:2317-2323. Which you can get via the elibrary.

Is it ever right to lie? If so, when?

If you feel like reading more (but no fibbing) you might like Truth-Telling in Clinical Practice and the Arguments for and Against: a review of the literature. A. G Tuckett. Nursing Ethics, September 1, 2004; 11(5): 500 - 513.


MJM