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The Three Phases In The History Of Medical Practice

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The main discussion of this paper will be the focus of the three phases in the history of the medical practice: when doctors and patients both did not know much about sickness, the dissatisfaction and frustration of patients due to the advanced diagnostic and scientific knowledge, and doctors and their medical encounters. Cynthia Hagstrom examined interactions during office visits, specifically close-ended and open-ended questions that are directed by doctors to their patients. She suggests that different questions types can enhance or hinder the knowledge possibly being gained by the doctor. Another topic examined is the conversational asymmetry between physicians and their patients due to technical knowledge. Another type of asymmetry …show more content…

The history of medicine can be broken down into three different period: the traditional period (1750-1850), the modern period (1880-1950), and the post-modern period (1960 to modern). Starting with the traditional period where the ability to treat diseases were limited. The training to become a doctor was not extensive with just an apprenticeship. Patients had very little belief that physicians had any type of special knowledge, and doctors were only called upon as a last resort. Doctors had very little training, but could administer strong drugs. The reality was that very little could be done for disease very long ago, and so terrible symptoms were tolerated. The modern period brought many scientific techniques that made is possible for doctors to diagnose and treat many patients. The tools invented during this period include: stethoscope, microscope, blood pressure cuff, and electrocardiogram. Bacteria was also identified as a cause of disease. With the connection of drugs (aspirin, quinine, insulin) to the treatment of patients, patients began presenting themselves as objects to be treated and healed. Medical school began offering specialize training for doctors, and successful treatment of many patients led to a social incline in the community for doctors. Post-modern period showed a major shift in attitudes towards doctors. Physicians are now

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