The End of Poverty - Jefferey Sachs - Clinical Economics

Question 1

Some lessons of clinical medicine (Think about how these lessons apply to economic growth). 1. The human body is a complex system.

Answer 1

Failure in one system can lead to a cascade in which multiple systems fail in sequence or simultaneously.

Question 2

Some lessons of clinical medicine (Think about how these lessons apply to economic growth). 2. Complexity requires a differential diagnosis.

Answer 2

We may observe symptoms of a disease, but determining the exact cause is prerequisite to our being able to address the underlying issue. However, diagnosis must be swift in order to not delay treatment and exacerbate the condition. Diagnosis should be logical and following the most likely epidemiology. “When you hear hoof beats, you should think horses, not zebras.”

Question 3

Some lessons of clinical medicine (Think about how these lessons apply to economic growth). 3. All medicine is family medicine.

Answer 3

The social situation is hugely important to consider in an individual and family’s ability to implement and maintain proper treatment plans.

Question 4

Some lessons of clinical medicine (Think about how these lessons apply to economic growth). 4. Monitoring and evaluation are essential to successful treatment.

Answer 4

Symptoms can be caused by a multitude of connected illnesses, and so diagnoses should be kept as best-fit hypotheses, not fact, until further evidence comes along.

Question 5

Some lessons of clinical medicine (Think about how these lessons apply to economic growth). 5. Medicine is a profession.

Answer 5

Strong norms, ethics, and code of conduct is needed in any profession. Quality care is the goal, not personal gain.

Question 6

Differential diagnosis (In economics) checklist:

Answer 6