For practicing physicians, the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020 has been an exercise in medical decision-making with incomplete, or at times, contradictory information. A rapidly unfolding pandemic, with a novel pathogen exhibiting great mortality and morbidity, encouraged physicians to search for the best available information in service to their patients. But what if the best available information during periods of medical uncertainly does not give clear answers or evidence is lacking? What is a physician to do?
Dr. Andrew Luks, professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Washington, joins us today to reflect on what physicians have learned about COVID pulmonology over 2020 and medical decision making in the face of incomplete information.