Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh, today called for greater emphasis on clinically guided medical practice, with early diagnosis, timely medical intervention and avoidance of unnecessary investigations as the basis of responsible patient care.
Speaking at the launch of “Rheumatology Essentials: A New Frontier for Aspiring Clinicians” in New Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh said this three-pronged approach can help reduce unnecessary medication and investigations, prevent delays in diagnosis and ensure that patients reach the appropriate specialist at the right time.
The Minister also released ‘Rheumatology Essentials’ book authored by Prof. Anand N. Malaviya and Dr. Prashant Kaushik. Referring to the clinical framework presented in “Rheumatology Essentials”, Dr Singh said the book provides clinicians with a simple and practical way to distinguish between inflammatory rheumatic diseases, mechanical-structural disorders and nociplastic pain syndromes. He said this approach can help physicians move beyond symptomatic treatment and identify patients who require specialist rheumatological care. The Minister said the book’s three-pronged strategy of “recognise disease early, avoid unnecessary investigation and ensure timely referral” is particularly relevant to contemporary medical practice. He said patients with musculoskeletal complaints can sometimes undergo repeated symptomatic treatment or move from one physician to another without the underlying condition being properly identified. A clinically guided approach can help prevent such delays and reduce avoidable treatment.
According to the book’s introductory synopsis, Rheumatology Essentials is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate medical students, primary-care physicians, general physicians and frontline emergency-room physicians. Calling for greater reliance on clinical judgement alongside modern diagnostic technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh said investigations should support clinical reasoning rather than replace it.
He referred to the growing availability of immunological tests, MRI scans and other sophisticated investigations and said their appropriate use is important for ensuring responsible and ethical medical practice.
