Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2017

Programs

Physician Assistant Program

Abstract

The history of medicine includes many errors. Some persisted for decades and caused great harm. Several are highlighted in this article, including the mythical thymic diseases: thymic asthma and status thymicolymphaticus. Some medical mistakes, such as the diet-heart hypothesis of Ancel Keys, continue to cause harm. To avoid future errors and their associated harm, I suggest a cultural shift encouraging professional humility and greater questioning of medical dogma. Medical education focused on teaching students this history may help with this cultural shift.

Publisher's Statement

Reprinted from The Permanente Journal, Vol. 21, Jeffrey B. Ritterman, To err is human: Can American medicine learn from past mistakes?, Article no. 16-181, copyright 2017, with permission from The Permanente Press. Reproduction of this material is confined to the purpose for which permission is hereby given. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/16-181

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