The CMAJ special issue on the impact of new technologies in medicine (Nov. 2, 1999) reminded me of an exceptional collection of clinical case reports by Noel Fiessinger. In the 1940s, Fiessinger headed the Department of Medicine of the Hotel Dieu in Paris. He was one of the last giants who combined clinical genius with (what we call today) evidence-based medicine. He was a consummate writer and dramatic speaker; "tout Paris" attended his weekly grand rounds. His book entitled L'investigation clinique was divided into 3 parts (L'investigation fait tout, L'investigation aide and L'investigation deroute), each substantiated with wellchosen clinical cases. I think Fiessinger would wholeheartedly agree with Kenneth Flegel's editorial1 and perhaps warn against blindly relying on technology. L'investigation sometimes deroute.
References
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