How a doctor's training impacts their decision making Part 2

During Grand Rounds, patient case studies are presented and the audience will problem solve to determine the diagnosis, and how it should be treated.  This draws on their medical school training of science and disease states, and starts the problem solving process they will carry into their residency program.  These patient cases follow the SOAP Format.  Subjective; what is the problem the patient presented with. Objective; what tests were completed and what are the findings of the initial exam.  Assessment; what is the diagnosis and Plan: what is the treatment plan.

Clinical observations are a big part of a medical students training.  At first they follow a tenured doctor around and simply watch what they do.  As their tenure grows, they take more of a role of actually conducting the exam.  As they begin to conduct the exam they will do a history and physical, gather information through tests and x-rays, make a diagnosis and decide on a treatment plan.  This entire process starts with a problem and ends with the use of a product to solve the problem.      

Doctors use science, problem solving, real-life experience and clinical date to make decisions.  Doctors think differently from sales people.  They make a decision based on what science, clinical data and their clinical experience tells them is the best decision for the patient.  I hope that you will use this knowledge to engage, challenge and change your doctors thinking this week.