Science versus safety: who should judge the balance?

Layman versus Professional Musician: Who Makes the Better Judge?

The increasing number of casting shows and talent contests in the media over the past years suggests a public interest in rating the quality of vocal performances. In many of these formats, laymen alongside music experts act as judges. Whereas experts' judgments are considered objective and reliable when it comes to evaluating singing voice, little is known about laymen's ability to evaluate pe...

Who is to judge?

What should WHO be doing about patient safety and technology?

INTRODUCTION Technology has promised a great deal as a tool for potentially reducing harm in healthcare, but has frequently failed to deliver. It can present risks to patients if used incorrectly. Technology can also mitigate against risk by reducing error through improved design of processes or equipment. Technology is an important thread running through many areas of patient safety: reporting...

Who should direct WHO?

ast week, member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) advanced another step in the nearly 1-year rigorous process of selecting its next director-general. Candidates for the position presented their vision of international health work and the role of this global health body. Having worked at WHO in a number of capacities in the area of infectious diseases, I know well that international...

Striking a balance: who is accountable for patient safety?

ILLUSTRATIVE CASE An elderly patient develops acute pulmonary edema. The junior resident physician and nurse are providing urgent care. The physician asks for 2 mg of morphine to be given intravenously. The nurse selects a 10 mg ampoule, draws up the 10 mg dose, and gives it to the physician. The junior resident physician injects the entire dose. The patient quickly loses consciousness and deve...