EMPIRICAL TREATMENT Meaning and
Definition
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Empirical treatment refers to a medical approach where the treatment of a disease or condition is based on observed evidence and practical experience rather than a definitive diagnosis. It involves using a therapeutic intervention that has shown positive outcomes in similar cases, even if the exact cause of the illness is unknown or not confirmed.
This approach usually comes into play when rapid or immediate action is required, particularly when waiting for test results or a confirmed diagnosis may result in worsening symptoms or complications. It often involves administering medications or employing interventions that have shown efficacy in a broad range of conditions with similar symptoms or manifestations.
Empirical treatment is particularly useful in situations where time is of the essence, such as in emergency medicine or when dealing with severe infections. It allows healthcare providers to initiate treatment promptly, potentially averting serious consequences until further diagnostic tests or evaluations can be conducted.
However, empirical treatment should not be seen as a substitute for accurate diagnosis or definitive treatment. While it may provide temporary relief or control of symptoms, a subsequent evaluation and confirmation of the underlying cause or condition are necessary to ensure appropriate, targeted treatment in the long run.
In summary, empirical treatment involves taking action based on clinical experience, observations, and available evidence, usually in the absence of a confirmed diagnosis. It is a practical approach to temporarily manage a condition until further testing or evaluation can be conducted.
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The employment of remedies or measures which experience has shown to be of benefit in the disease in question, but for the success of which no scientific explanation can be given.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for EMPIRICAL TREATMENT
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Etymology of EMPIRICAL TREATMENT
The word "empirical" originates from the Greek word "empeirikos", which means "experienced". It was later adopted into Latin as "empiricus" and then into English as "empirical". The term "empirical treatment" refers to a medical approach that is based on observation, experimentation, and evidence from actual experience rather than being derived from theoretical knowledge or principles.
