Patients with chronic diseases: tomorrow, all sentinels?

Abstract

Very old studies and clinical experiences of physicians already signal the ability of some patients to feel subclinical signs. These patients are called sentinel patients because they can anticipate crisis very early and therefore intervene quickly to prevent them. Studies have shown that these patients develop these skills from their own experience, in steps which are similar to quasi-experimental research. They test and adjust their competence all the more easily as they have an objective external measure available. This faculty of patients suggests the possibility of using medical devices as a means of learning for patients to tutor themselves in support of this singular skill.