We’ve been trying to figure out how our bodies work for ages; mistakes have been made. The Greeks and Romans believed in the four humors: black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood. Aspects of the discipline persisted until the eighteenth century, as physicians bled patients for ailments from acne to tuberculosis.
Soldiers in the Civil War suffered as surgeons operated with instruments still bloody from previous operations. Survival rates were higher for those who had early morning operations (the instruments were cleaner).
Medical missteps are innumerable. The human body a complex, fascinating system. As we study it, we consistently revise theories and practices. Most recently, studies have shown that preventative cancer screening may not be as helpful as we once thought, and some contend it may actually hurt us. For doctors and nurses, learning cannot stop after med school and residency, because we’re always unraveling something new. Breakthroughs in medicine mean an end to old ideas. It also means gaining an understanding of the new technology or revised discipline.
As medical professionals, we have a responsibility to continue our education as long as we’re practicing. The American Medical Association offers continuing medical education courses. There is a litany of medical journals available to us, such as The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, and numerous others.
The challenge of staying abreast of medical developments is one of the most rewarding aspects of medical practice. No matter how seasoned you are, there’s more to learn.
