Abstract
“Expert opinion” is the lowest totem on the academic pole- and yet, “evidence based” medicine does not always provide us answers for the particular, the unusual clinical problem. Well-controlled studies are precisely that: “well controlled”. Life may be randomised, but falls short of being “well controlled”.
The challenge and honor of moderating a panel of experienced and articulate colleagues is to bring out “how they think” and how they formulate a plan for complex cases. The panel members are not only experienced practitioners, but they are the authors of studies that shape our profession. What are the limits to the studies they have published? What insight can they provide us to help understand “level 1” data more astutely? What biases and assumptions support their methods? Nothing achieves that with greater clarity than presentation of complex cases to an accomplished panel.
Several ordinary clinical problems are presented to establish current practice, followed by the unexpected outcomes to illustrate how experts deal with adversity.
