Biomaterial Database

Philosophical reflections on a rational treatment plan. 1986

D C Thomasma

Diagnosis is widely regarded to be governed by logical rules, but constructing a rational treatment plan has received less philosophical attention. I examine such treatment plans under three senses of the term "rational": consensual, scientific, and ethical. My thesis is that treatment plans, even those based on medical indications alone, are inherently consensual and are governed by a logic of proportionality.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008128	Logic	The science that investigates the principles governing correct or reliable inference and deals with the canons and criteria of validity in thought and demonstration. This system of reasoning is applicable to any branch of knowledge or study. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed & Sippl, Computer Dictionary, 4th ed)	Logics
D009014	Morals	Standards of conduct that distinguish right from wrong.	Morality
D010358	Patient Participation	Patient involvement in the decision-making process in matters pertaining to health.	Patient Activation,Patient Empowerment,Patient Engagement,Patient Involvement,Patient Participation Rates,Activation, Patient,Empowerment, Patient,Engagement, Patient,Involvement, Patient,Participation Rate, Patient,Participation Rates, Patient,Participation, Patient,Patient Participation Rate
D010686	Philosophy, Medical	The underlying rationale or theoretical basis for the principles of MEDICINE.	Medical Philosophy
D011788	Quality of Life	A generic concept reflecting concern with the modification and enhancement of life attributes, e.g., physical, political, moral, social environment as well as health and disease.	HRQOL,Health-Related Quality Of Life,Life Quality,Health Related Quality Of Life
D004992	Ethics, Medical	The principles of professional conduct concerning the rights and duties of the physician, relations with patients and fellow practitioners, as well as actions of the physician in patient care and interpersonal relations with patient families.	Medical Ethics
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012586	Science	The study of natural phenomena by observation, measurement, and experimentation.	Sciences
D012945	Social Values	Abstract standards or empirical variables in social life which are believed to be important and/or desirable.	Value Orientation,Values, Social,Value Orientations
D013812	Therapeutics	Procedures concerned with the remedial treatment or prevention of diseases.	Therapy,Treatment,Therapeutic,Therapies,Treatments