Tidsskrift for den Norske lægeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny række
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"The two cultures", a concept launched by C. P. Snow in 1959, points to the schism between science and the humanities, two distinct professional cultures which not only has gone separate ways, but also developed deep tensions between them. ⋯ However, contemporary doctors see themselves first and foremost as scientists, and modern medicine leaves little scope for the tradition of the humanities. Including humanities in medical undergraduate, graduate and continuous education does not necessarily make doctors more humane, but insight in these disciplines may stimulate reflection and broaden their perspective on the practice of medicine. Given the expectations and pressures for efficiency to which doctors and other health care workers are subjected, a greater emphasis on the humanities in medicine may be of help to doctors in coping with their patients, society--and themselves.
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From superstition and witchcraft, to detailed scientific insight into the human body in health and disease: Stupendous though the development of medical science has been over the last few centuries, it does not in itself give doctors a sufficient basis for meeting their patients and the people around them. In these interpersonal encounters, fundamental, immaterial values are the all-important basis. These values and their place in life are not visible in science itself, hence the humanities and the arts offer approaches and inspiration that are of the greatest value in the education of doctors at all levels.
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Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Dec 2000
Comparative Study[Are emergency admissions to medical departments dependent on weather?].
It is widely believed that patients are more frequently admitted to hospital in bad weather. ⋯ Both the incidence of disease and doctor availability may partially explain the influence of weather and the daily variation in emergency admissions to hospital.
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Developing high-quality patient-centred palliative care involving different professions in a local health care situation is a challenging task. It is difficult to establish co-operation on the allocation of resources to individual patients throughout the phases of disease. There are financial constraints, but also incongruities between the various levels of the health care system. Doctors' participation in cancer care is hidden in various tasks, and the contribution of GPs can be difficult to grasp. Patient-centred cancer care requires local co-operation; the intention in public health policy is to let the GP and the primary care nurse provide continuity of care, with the GP in the role of co-ordinator and organiser. ⋯ There is a sizeable potential for quality improvement in local palliative cancer care and in the vertical and horizontal communication between the professional groups involved.
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Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Nov 2000
Case Reports[Non-convulsive status epilepticus--confusion and cognitive failure during seizures].
Non-convulsive status epilepticus is characterized by confusion and impaired consciousness, lasting at least half an hour. Seizure activity in the EEG confirms the diagnosis, but ictal discharges can be heterogeneous and difficult to classify. There is controversy regarding evidence of morbidity in humans. ⋯ Complex partial status epilepticus of frontal origin is common, but differentiation between complex partial and generalised non-convulsive status can be difficult. The clinical symptoms may overlap, and generalised EEG seizure activity does not exclude initial focal ictal discharges. Presumably the reported sequelae after this condition are in most cases a consequence of underlying cerebral illness. Treatment response to diazepam can be variable, with high recurrence risk. Effective prophylactic treatment is most important.