Simon Douglas Murray, MD

In March, the television news show 60 Minutes devoted a segment to a clinical trial using polio virus to treat glioblastoma multiforme. The segment called "Killing Cancer" did a good job of illustrating the potential power of this new treatment as well as the problems associated with glioblastoma multiforme which typically kills patients in a matter of months.

Statistical analysis is essential to practicing modern medicine. Properly designed clinical trials are at the heart of Evidence-based medicine (EBM). The concept of EBM has evolved over the last 30 years from the work of Archie Cochran, an epidemiologist, who wrote a series of lectures in 1972 on the efficacy of medical services.

Twenty-five years ago I was told by my partner who had considerably more experience than I that the best way to build a medical practice was to follow the 3 "A's of medicine". In order of relevance they are availability, affability, and ability. Ability comes third because unless a doctor is available to patients so they come enough to like him, they would never know if he has any ability.

"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." While this statement attributed to Voltaire is less true today than it was in the philosopher's time, there is still a familiar ring to it.

Internists must resist taking as much as they can carry from the current healthcare system just because they can get away with it.

As internists, the best product we can offer to patients is our opinion derived from clinical experience and education.