When the disease eludes a diagnosis

New York Times, March 27, 2008

In this New York Times article written by BARRON H. LERNER, MD, Lerner asks "why do doctors and patients often approach the diagnosis of disease so differently?" He says part of the answer lies in the concept of triage--the notion, originated in wartime, of caring for the sickest and most salvageable patients first. He adds that a similar strategy has evolved in emergency rooms, where physicians are trained to "rule in" or "rule out" severe conditions.