Making Medical Knowledge

New methods for research and clinical care, such as consensus conferences, evidence-based medicine, translational medicine, and narrative medicine, have reshaped the practices of medical knowledge production. Miriam Solomon argues that the familiar dichotomy between the art and the science of medicine is not adequate for understanding this plurality of methods. The book explores the origins and aims of these methods, their epistemic strengths, and their epistemic weaknesses. It also offers practical and theoretical suggestions for improving medical knowledge and understanding medical controversies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 21 July 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Over the past forty years, new approaches to research and clinical care have revolutionized the process of generating medical knowledge. Consensus conferences, evidence-based medicine, translational medicine, and narrative medicine are among the most prominent methods that have emerged. In her book, Making Medical Knowledge, Miriam Solomon challenges the traditional dichotomy between the art and science of medicine and argues that a more comprehensive understanding of these methods is necessary.

The book begins by tracing the development of medical consensus conferences, which began at the United States National Institutes of Health in 1977 and have since become widespread in national and international contexts. Consensus conferences are social epistemic institutions designed to embody democracy and achieve objectivity. They involve a group of experts coming together to reach a consensus on a particular medical issue.

Evidence-based medicine, which developed next, ranks expert consensus at the bottom of the evidence hierarchy, challenging the authority of consensus conferences. Evidence-based medicine has transformed both medical research and clinical medicine in many positive ways, but it has also been accused of creating an intellectual hegemony that has marginalized crucial stages of scientific research, particularly scientific discovery.

Translational medicine is understood as a response to the shortfalls of both consensus conferences and evidence-based medicine. It aims to bridge the gap between basic scientific research and clinical practice by bringing together researchers, clinicians, and patients to work towards developing new treatments and therapies.

Narrative medicine is the most prominent recent development in the medical humanities. Its central claim is that attention to narrative is essential for patient care. Narrative medicine emphasizes the importance of understanding the patient's personal story and experiences in order to provide compassionate and effective care.

Solomon argues that the differences between narrative medicine and the other methods have been exaggerated and that a pluralistic account of how medical knowledge is made is necessary. She suggests that each method has its strengths and weaknesses and that a combination of these methods can lead to better patient care and improved health outcomes.

In conclusion, the process of generating medical knowledge has undergone a significant transformation over the past forty years. Consensus conferences, evidence-based medicine, translational medicine, and narrative medicine are among the most prominent methods that have emerged. These methods have their strengths and weaknesses, and a pluralistic account of how medical knowledge is made is necessary to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 217 x 132 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192872296