A fun article: Agile Physician

[jbeatty]

I was reading an older RESG newsletter (http://www.resg.org.uk/archive/RQ45.PDF) and found a copy of a really fun article (original found here):
http://www.computer.org/portal/cms_docs_software/software/homepage/2007/s3008.pdf

It puts the agile concept in the world of physicians and patients.

[Justin.Burrows]

Well, just to be a stinker, I think that's the way the world of medicine is actually going. Why? Because people have figured out that the Doctor is not necessarily the final expert on the subject of your health.

In fact, "owning your own care" is a common theme among advice from patient advocates and anybody who, for some reason other than actually working there, has to spend a lot of time in the hospital. The level of patient involvement in deciding their own care plan (with thanks to the interwebs) is much higher than what it was just 10 years ago. Why do you think you see commercials for surgical devices like lap-band and knee-replacement.

In the scenario of the Agile Physician, chances are the user-patient will have hit wikipedia and WebMD and a Yahoo! discussion board and have a list of three or four approaches, the Physician would help guide the patient through the choices that they would make.

Alas, in the world of medicine it seems the days of waterfall medical care are over, even moreso than software.

:banana:

[Justin.Burrows]

To rebut myself, I cannot help but direct you to this excellent post on Don't Become An Agile Zombie (http://outside-in-thinking.com/?p=93).

I enjoy any opportunity to talk about zombies.