Achieving Diagnosis by Consensus

This paper provides an analysis of the collaborative work conducted at a multidisciplinary medical team meeting, where a patient’s definitive diagnosis is agreed, by consensus. The features that distinguish this process of diagnostic work by consensus are examined in depth. The current use of technology to support this collaborative activity is described, and experienced deficiencies are identified. Emphasis is placed on the visual and perceptual difficulty for individual specialities in making interpretations, and on how, through collaboration in discussion, definitive diagnosis is actually achieved. The challenge for providing adequate support for the multidisciplinary team at their meeting is outlined, given the multifaceted nature of the setting, i.e. patient management, educational, organizational and social functions, that need to be satisfied.

The Geometer’s Angle: An Introduction to the Art and Science of Geometric Analysis

Last summer, at the Nexus 2000 conference in Ferrara, Italy, a round table discussion was initiated by Kim Williams and chaired by Carol Watts where the issues of working out the inherent problems and possible procedures required to perform geometric analysis were initially opened and addressed [Watts 2001]. I would like to carry the theme forward in this column.