law student settling a debate. doctor's please answer.

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Law student - 03 Mar 2005 23:34 GMT

Please respond only if you're a doctor or medical student.

OK,

I'm a law student having a debate with another law student.

This other guy said " Medicine is ... - it is actually more of an art
than a science"

My opinion of him is that he is a nut. Sure, it can be subjective at
times (I know cause my family is a bunch of doctors), but to say
overall, medicine is more art than science is insulting to the
profession. (He's referring to modern Western medicine, not voodoo
magic, herbal medicine or tribal chants or anything).

I want to resolve this debate, so I'd appreciate it if any DOCTORS or
medical students here would choose one of the following:

1) Medicine is more science than art.
2) Medicine is more art than science.

Please, yes, I know it's not entirely one or the other (that's why
there's the word "more" in there), but just choose one so I can easily
tabulate and present the results to this goofball.

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PF Riley - 04 Mar 2005 05:56 GMT

>Please respond only if you're a doctor or medical student.
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>there's the word "more" in there), but just choose one so I can easily
>tabulate and present the results to this goofball.

I would say more art than science, because the true practice of
medicine, while occasionally based on the results of scientific
inquiry, requires creativity. Diagnosis is an art. Communicating with
families is an art. Even the physical examination requires creative
thinking.

PF

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tech27 - 04 Mar 2005 17:50 GMT

The practice of treatment and prescribing is based on scientific knowledge.
The diagnosis of patients is an art. This was explained to me by a very well
respected MD. Witness that a patient may have to see several
doctors/specialists before a diagnosis is made. Once the (correct) diagnosis
is know, treatments generally follow accepted regimes.

>>Please respond only if you're a doctor or medical student.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
> PF

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Howard McCollister - 04 Mar 2005 12:17 GMT

> Please respond only if you're a doctor or medical student.
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> there's the word "more" in there), but just choose one so I can easily
> tabulate and present the results to this goofball.

Medicine is an art, the practice of which utilizes and relies on some
scientific principles.

HMc

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Kurt Ullman - 04 Mar 2005 13:44 GMT

>> Please, yes, I know it's not entirely one or the other (that's why
>> there's the word "more" in there), but just choose one so I can easily
>> tabulate and present the results to this goofball.
>
>Medicine is an art, the practice of which utilizes and relies on some
>scientific principles.

I would suggest that the art of medicine is how one applies the
scientific knowledge to a specific person or situation.

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tech27 - 04 Mar 2005 17:51 GMT

>>Medicine is an art, the practice of which utilizes and relies on some
>>scientific principles.
>>
> I would suggest that the art of medicine is how one applies the
> scientific knowledge to a specific person or situation.

Yes. Diagnosis (art) vs treatment (science).

> ----------------------------------
> This mail is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and
> grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to
> be considered flaws or defects.

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