RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Becoming a Phronimos: Evidence-Based Medicine, Clinical Decision Making, and the Role of Practical Wisdom in Primary Care
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 531
OP 536
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2023.230034R1
VO 36
IS 4
A1 Cosgrove, Lisa
A1 Shaughnessy, Allen F.
YR 2023
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/36/4/531.abstract
AB There has been much discussion about the overmedicalization of human experience and the problems incurred by overzealous action-oriented medical care. In this paper we describe the Aristotelean virtue of phronesis, or practical wisdom, and discuss how it can be developed by interested clinicians. We argue that becoming a phronimos requires conscious attention to one’s practice by using feedback to continually improve. But there must also be judicious adherence to clinical practice guidelines and advocacy for people-as-patients at individual, community, and national levels.