Recommendations for Care of the Asymptomatic Patient

Authors

James D. Bridges
Thomas Killip
N. Kevin Krane
David B. MacDougall
Carlos F. Petrozzi
Michael E. Somand
Susan Steigerwalt

Abstract

We present a set of reasonable guidelines for the care of healthy, asymptomatic individuals based upon recommendations prepared by an Internal Medicine review committee of Henry Ford Hospital. There recommendations have four goals: to prevent disease, to detect disease in an asymptomatic and potentially curable state, to enhance the patient's quality of life, and to help physicians teach patients good health habits. Recommendations are made for infectious diseases, cancer, metabolic diseases, neurosensory conditions like visual and hearing loss, and general health habits. Some recommendations are at variance with those of well recognized authorities and should be viewed only as a suggested protocol for the care of the asymptomatic patient. Results of ongoing studies may alter our understanding of some areas of controversy and mandate revision of these guidelines periodically.

Recommended Citation

Bridges, James D.; Killip, Thomas; Krane, N. Kevin; MacDougall, David B.; Petrozzi, Carlos F.; Somand, Michael E.; and Steigerwalt, Susan (1983) "Recommendations for Care of the Asymptomatic Patient," Henry Ford Hospital Medical Journal : Vol. 31 : No. 2 , 95-100.
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/hfhmedjournal/vol31/iss2/7