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Magid's 10 Radiographic Commandments

Donna Magid, M.D., M.Ed.

THOU SHALT:

  1. LOCALIZE WITH ONE FINGER: "Trust No One, Believe No One ".
  2. CONE and CENTER: True area of interest gets center stage.
  3. Remember that ONE VIEW IS NO VIEW. “The Truth Is Out There".
  4. Clinician, COMMUNICATE with the Radiologist and Technologist. CRF, HIV, Hep C, Allergies, Altered MS, all matter.
  5. EMBRACE DESCRIPTIVE PROCESS and PRECISION: DESCRIBE first (Telephone or Sketchpad Model) DIFFERENTIAL second
  6. Be VERITABLE WITNESSES (Heinlein) Assumptions about the inadequately seen can be lethal.
  7. PURGE (most) "DEAD WHITE GUYS'', SLANG, and MALLBONICS from thy medical speech. Medical Expression is both art and skill. Adieu ''Chip Fracture'' ''Sorta'' Like...ummm..'' "Colles Fracture''
  8. Treat THE PATIENT, Not The RADIOGRAPH. FOLLOW Up, 10-14 Days, if hx/exam/gut suggest fracture.
  9. LEND NO FOOTHOLD TO LAWYERS. "Resist or Perish'' ... " Fight The Future".
  10. Distinguish between (invisible) ENERGY (i.e., x-rays) and (visible) IMAGES (i.e., Radiographs, Studies, Images, Views...).