Is Clinical Medicine Dying?

Abstract

Recently, I came across a few discussions and write-ups on the dying art of clinical medicine caused by rapid advances in technology, which is replacing previously indispensable instruments such as stethoscope. Fred has interestingly termed it "Hyposkillia."¹ Multiple editorials have decried the loss of clinical skills, and medical educators justify not only teaching but also using basic history-taking and physical examination skills in routine patient care.^2-4 However, some skeptics suggest that emphasis on clinical skills is from a bygone era and that the availability of advanced imaging techniques and laboratory tests has supplanted ambiguous history and physical findings.^5,6 Here is what I think.