Bedside Rounds 63 - Signals
Aug 23, 2021
Discover the intriguing journey of medical diagnosis and the disagreements among physicians. Learn about the birth of signal detection theory and how new technologies reshaped diagnostic practices. Ever wondered why tonsillectomies were so common? Dive into fascinating historical insights on chest diseases and the evolution of X-rays. Explore the impact of World War II radar technology on diagnostics and meet an unsung hero: Jacob Yerushalmy, a pivotal figure in medical history. Intrigued? Tune in!
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Tonsillectomy's Rise and Fall
- Tonsillectomies were uncommon until the 20th century, only used for dire cases like airway obstruction.
- The procedure's popularity exploded around 1910, influenced by focal infection theory and improved surgical safety.
Anchoring Bias in Tonsillectomies
- The American Child Health Association survey revealed that tonsillectomy recommendations were surprisingly consistent (around 45%) across multiple reviewers, even after presumably high-risk children were screened out.
- This suggests potential anchoring bias, where initial probability estimates influence subsequent decisions, regardless of new information.
Wasserman Reaction and Diagnostic Accuracy
- The Wasserman reaction, an early syphilis test, highlighted the issue of false positives and negatives in diagnostics.
- This led to the development of the concepts of sensitivity and specificity, crucial for evaluating diagnostic tests.