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Introduction:�“Knowledge Systems”

Health Science 20

S. Lewchuk

Stolen / Adapted from R. Bowes

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Medical Knowledge

Medicine

Field of applied science related to the art of healing by diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.

Contemporary Medicine

Incorporation of health science, biomedical research, genetics and technology.

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History of Medicine

The Roman catholic church was the main internal organization for Christian charity and nursing (nuns).
There are now Health care systems which vary depending on where you live;

Single payer health care
Private or co-operative insurance
Universal health care

The church is still a major non government factor in the medical field

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Three Strands of �Medical Knowledge

1. Evidence Based Medicine

2. Traditional Medicine

3. Complementary Medicine

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Medical Knowledge Systems

Based on integrating knowledge gained from:

the best available research,
clinical expertise and
patients' values

�Evidence Based

Medicine

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Characteristics of�Evidence Based Medicine �(Pros & Cons)

gathering information to better diagnose a patient through documented medical research
time consuming
can contradict original assessments
improves assessment of patient
improves ability to research information
improves on skills of physician
Others…

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History of Evidence Based Medicine

Term “Evidence Based Medicine” was made in 1990s
The first Evidence Based Medicine consisted of anecdotal records and historic accounts (story telling, very subjective/personal)
17^th century evidence based medicine was based on information from personal journals and (hard to attain) textbooks
1900-1970s evidence based medicine was gathered through textbooks and peer reviewed journals

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History of Evidence Based Medicine

during the 1970s technology improved ability to gather information through computers and database software
Access to the internet has provided loads of information (all of which is not always reliable) but is free and easily accessible.

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Role of Patient and Physician in �Evidence Based Medicine

Patient

needs to be open minded, can be time consuming, potentially more stressful and frustrating, requires trust

Physician

needs to create clinical questions, research for the best available evidence, critically observe the evidence and then perhaps learn new skills in order to apply the evidence to the individual patient

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How Evidence Based Medicine Supports Patient

There has to be evidence to treat the patient based on research

Patient has more information to make a decision on their treatment

Increased chance of successfully treating illness or injury with an alternative approach

***Getting Better***

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Traditional Medical Knowledge

Throughout history there have been numerous contributors to traditional medical knowledge however the three main components have consistently included:

Prevention
Diagnosis
Treatment

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Definition (Continued)

A further examination of the role of Traditional knowledge finds that the primary focuses have been:

Curing disease and illness
Treatment of wounds and injuries
Enhancement of the productivity and standardization of primary health care systems & providers (lean program)

http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/lean-introduction

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What most of us know & have experienced…

Primary care – clinics, nursing homes and schools.

90% of visits and treatments are delivered here.

Secondary care: emergency rooms, referrals for extra expertise or

procedures.

Labs, medical imaging, intensive care etc.

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Tertiary care – specialty hospitals or regional centers with expert specialty care.

Ex. Trauma centers, radiation oncology, burn treatment centers etc

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��Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM)

a number of therapeutic and diagnostic practices that exist largely outside the institutions where conventional and traditional health care is taught and provided
The history or origins of CAM are vast and spread world wide.

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Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM)

There are conflicting accounts as to the exact creation of CAM, however most academics believe Eastern Medicine initially began treatment of the person first and illness second. (mind – body – soul)

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