Ethics of uncertainty.
Decision-making
Ethics
Evidence
Inferences
Uncertainty
Journal
Patient education and counseling
ISSN: 1873-5134
Titre abrégé: Patient Educ Couns
Pays: Ireland
ID NLM: 8406280
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
11 2021
11 2021
Historique:
received:
07
07
2021
accepted:
12
07
2021
pubmed:
28
7
2021
medline:
8
1
2022
entrez:
27
7
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Uncertainty is inherent in clinical medicine. However, just because absolute certainty is unachievable does not mean that rational and optimal decisions cannot be made. It is argued that we need to distinguish legitimate from illegitimate scientific uncertainties that are generated by manufacturing doubts aiming to create mis- and disinformation. The attempt to create doubts implies that actions under uncertainties are impossible. Such a belief ultimately harms public, which requires reasoned actions within a context of genuine scientific and medical uncertainties. The latter indicates that rational decisions, even in the absence of guaranteed absolute certainty, are not only possible but, on average, beneficial both for society and individuals.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34312034
pii: S0738-3991(21)00484-5
doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.07.025
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
2628-2634Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Competing interest I have no competing interest in relation to this manuscript