Medicolegal implications of consensus Article

Annual American College of Chest Physicians Consensus

Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy, April 1995, Tucson,

Citation: Chest, Oct 1995 v108 n4 p502S(4)

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Subjects: Practice guidelines (Medicine)_Standards

Thrombolytic therapy_Standards

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Full Text COPYRIGHT American College of Chest Physicians 1995

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a new format to be used for consensus statements in the january 4, 1995, issue. Emphasis was placed on a clear definition of the objective of the statement, the basis for the selection of the participants, the manner in which the evidence was reviewed and evaluated, the manner in which "consensus" was developed, and the conclusions of the consensus conference.[1] An explanatory editorial presented the thinking behind this new format in a clear and helpful manner.[2] This section will consider the medicolegal aspects of the consensus conference according to the proposed new JAMA format. Since each of these areas bears importantly on the legal weight of the product of the consensus conference, we will consider the legal implications according to the new JAMA format.

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rence, clearly influences the working of "consensus" and the final therapeutic recommendations.[9] An array of approaches to development of consensus are identified succinctly by Olson.[2] These range, for example, from the National Institutes of Health process that "combines aspects of the judicial system [in which an impartial jury makes a decision based on the evidence presented!, a scientific meeting [in which professional colleagues share their findings], and a town meeting [where any interested person can express an opinion]."[10] The central purpose in the consensus process, whatever format is chosen, is the following: (1) to assure a comprehensive presentation of all relevant scientific information, including minority opinions by respected experts who are dedicated to the objective(s) of the conference (vs personal agenda, for example); (2) to assure a full and balanced discussion of this information among these experts usually in small groups and in a manner in which the facts are emphasized and personal qualities of persuasion are minimized; (3) presentation of what has been agreed on and what has not been agreed on to the general session; and (4) faithful incorporation of the developed consensus and exception
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Liability Crisis, Dalen Hirsh, Association JAMA, Defensive Measure, Strength Unanimity, Antithrombotic Therapy, Liability Maybe, Institutes Health, Olson2 Evidence, Heart Association, antithrombotic therapy, consensus conference, practice guidelines, legal liability, standard care, informed consent, set circumstances, consensus statements, american college, product consensus conference, medical practice, american college chest, college chest physicians, risk legal liability, conference antithrombotic therapy,
Approximate Word count = 3569
Approximate Pages = 14 (250 words per page)

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