Susser M
Pediatrics. 1984 Nov;74(5):842-9.
The place of causal inference in clinical practice is considered. One function relates to the validation of existing knowledge, as in the evaluation of the medical literature, and is exemplified by the process of editorial selection. A second function relates to the validation of potential knowledge, as in the testing of hypotheses, and is exemplified by the pursuit of a nutritional cause of retarded mental development. Features of clinical practice that contribute strengths or weaknesses to causal inference are then examined. These include the diagnostic process, the effect of cumulative clinical experience, continuity of observation and follow-up, and the focus on disease.
本文探讨了因果推断在临床实践中的地位。因果推断的一个功能与现有知识的验证相关，如在医学文献评估中，编辑筛选过程就是例证。另一个功能与潜在知识的验证相关，如在假设检验中，对智力发育迟缓的营养原因的探究就是例证。接下来将审视临床实践中对因果推断有增强或削弱作用的特征。这些特征包括诊断过程、累积临床经验的影响、观察和随访的连续性以及对疾病的关注。
