Knowledge Of Medical Practitioners Research Articles

The Epistemic Cost of Opacity: How the Use of Artificial Intelligence Undermines the Knowledge of Medical Doctors in High-Stakes Contexts

Artificial intelligent (AI) systems used in medicine are often very reliable and accurate, but at the price of their being increasingly opaque. This raises the question whether a system’s opacity undermines the ability of medical doctors to acquire knowledge on the basis of its outputs. We investigate this question by focusing on a case in which a patient’s risk of recurring breast cancer is predicted by an opaque AI system. We argue that, given the system’s opacity, as well as the possibility of malfunctioning AI systems, practitioners’ inability to check the correctness of their outputs, and the high stakes of such cases, the knowledge of medical practitioners is indeed undermined. They are lucky to form true beliefs based on the AI systems’ outputs, and knowledge is incompatible with luck. We supplement this claim with a specific version of the safety condition on knowledge, Safety*. We argue that, relative to the perspective of the medical doctor in our example case, his relevant beliefs could easily be false, and this despite his evidence that the AI system functions reliably. Assuming that Safety* is necessary for knowledge, the practitioner therefore doesn’t know. We address three objections to our proposal before turning to practical suggestions for improving the epistemic situation of medical doctors.

Awareness about Periodontal Disease and Its Association with Systemic Disease among Medical Practitioners: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Background For decades, physicians and dentists have paid close attention to their own respective fields, specializing in medicine pertaining to the body and the oral cavity respectively. However, recent findings have strongly suggested that oral health may be indicative of systemic health. Currently, this gap between allopathic medicine and dental medicine is quickly closing, due to significant findings supporting the association between periodontal disease and systemic conditions. Aim The aim of the study is to evaluate knowledge of medical practitioners about periodontal disease and its association with systemic disease. Materials and Methods This study was carried out using a self-reported questionnaires that was distributed to 120 practicing medical doctors of various fields. There were 68 male and 52 female doctors. Among which, 63 doctors have less than 10 years of experience, 47 doctors have 10 to 20 years, and 10 doctors have more than 20 years experience. Conclusion Although the vast majority of the medical doctors reported that they knew the relationship between periodontal disease and systemic health, this awareness was not supported by precise knowledge and failed to appropriate clinical practice. Interdisciplinary dental and medical training will likely be solution to the problem. How to cite this article Anandakumar AS, Sankari R. Awareness about Periodontal Disease and Its Association with Systemic Disease among Medical Practitioners: A Pilot Study. J Contemp Dent 2016;6(2):104-107.

Knowledge of Sri Lankan government medical practitioners and medical students on standard treatment guidelines; regional cross sectional survey

Introduction of module of rational use of medicine (RUM) to pharmacology curriculum requires analysis of existing knowledge among health care workers. We conducted this study to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of medical practitioners (MPs) and medical students (MSs) on Standard Treatment Guidelines (STG) as an initial tread. 42 MPs and 120 MSs were selected and for this study and pretested structured questionnaire on STG and core policies of RUM were used to evaluate the key testing parameters. Results showed that only 78% of MPs were confident about their knowledge in STG and 7% of them were not attentive. Knowledge of MPs and MSs showed 78% and 84% on contents of STG while the knowledge in core policies was 73% and 34% respectively. More than 99% of MSs and 71% of MPs were attentive on the inclusion of clinical features of the illness in STG. Knowledge on updating and significance of STG as guidance for new prescribers of MPs were 84% and 88% respectively while 96% of MSs had acquainted in those two areas. Both groups had good knowledge on STG and they showed that STG were prepared with accordance with personnel experience (MPs-71%, MSs-74%). 80% of MSs and 75% MPs discerned that common treatment practices is not an inclusion criteria for STG. We found that MSs had good knowledge on contents of STG but skills in application in RUM were limited. MPs had good knowledge on core policies and application of STG but not familiar with principles of STG. We conclude that MPs need repetitive in-service training programs to ensure the adherence to STG and MSs are in need of skill development program to pertain STG in clinical practice.

Economic and Social Factors in the Etiology of Childhood Rickets over the Past Four Centuries

Economic and social factors can determine the prevalence and severity of a health condition, as well as enhance co-morbidities. This article reviews forces that have influenced the appearance and persistence of nutritional rickets over the past 400 years. Childhood rickets first appeared from 1600 to 1640 as an epidemic disorder in the south and west of England when the woolen trade developed as a home labor industry. Later, with the coal-fueled factory system, agrarian laborers migrated to cities, creating a wage earner class. Their children were raised in smog-ridden and crowded conditions and were victims of an urban-based form of rickets lasting from the 1640s to the 1930s. With the discovery of vitamin D, arising from both dietary sources and from photocutaneous biosynthesis by exposure to ultraviolet B wavelengths from the sun, and recognition of its use as a therapeutic agent, epidemic rickets largely disappeared. The pro-sunshine era was ushered in between 1930 and 1965. Since, rising rates of skin cancer have greatly tempered enthusiasm for sun exposure and led to recommendations for sun protection strategies. Beginning in the 1960s, examples of nutritional rickets have been seen in dark-skinned immigrants moving to northern latitudes. Often rickets occurred in association with vitamin D-deficient mothers who exclusively breast-fed their offspring. Also, vitamin D deficiency is more evident in young children, adolescents, pregnant mothers and the elderly, many of who remain indoors and do not use vitamin supplements. These factors - child labor, the almost universal use of coal as a fuel, dietary deprivations during wars, migration of dark-skinned populations to regions where sunshine is scarce, and cancer-associated fear of sun exposure - have resulted in the persistence of nutritional rickets despite the knowledge of medical practitioners, nutritionists, and even parents. This manuscript reviews these factors and their impact on the health of children.