I love science,….but am forever wary of scientism.
Science is observation, measurement, hypothesis-testing, the constant re-adjustment of theories after bias is minimized and experience is analyzed. Establish what is false, not necessarily what is true.
Scientism is the belief that the methods of science must be used for all of human experience, and given time, will settle every issue.
The blurring of these concepts has roots in the 16th and 17th centuries, e.g., Francis Bacon was influential advocating mankind’s “dominion over Nature”. Quite the opposite of Buddhism and Taoism BTW. In brief, science has led to less childhood deaths, better water and food, anesthesia, advanced medical Rx, better housing, instant communication, safe transportation, Facebook/Twitter, etc,……while scientism has led to technocratic hierarchy, accelerated conflict, waste, environmental degradation, consumerism, and WWI and WWII (oversimplifying a bit). Bertrand Russell as a young man was an exemplar of strict empiricism, but in wise old age emphatically rejected scientism.
Help me determine where the blurring of science and scientism is more apparent in neonatology than NICU length-of-stay? Well, we know one obvious area – periviability conflicts and shared decision-making.
A few organizations have asked me to review and discuss NICU length of stay over the years – not because I’m an authority, but more because I worked in 2 separate NICUs with remarkably favorable length-of-stay, and did detailed visits to a couple of similar sites,….and maybe my interest in the science/scientism theme,……who knows?
I am certain there are accomplished folks with superior analyses and insights to offer re: NICU length-of-stay,……I have read and talked to many of them.
Not that you need more to read, but I attached a PowerPoint digest of my (biased) reading and experience re: NICU LOS,…..particularly thinking of our energetic younger providers and administrators trying to wade through this complex literature. Science and natural philosophy, reason and compassion,…..the Chinese have a symbol for theunity of heart-mind,..…the English-translated word Xin. It’s very-not-scientism.
Slides 23-30 are a reasonably accurate digest of hundreds of manuscripts I reviewed,….but please send your “Share Massively, Steal Shamelessly” pearls as Paul Plsek urges us. Also attached is Braun et al’s fine and hopeful article from Kaiser Permanente re: unnecessary NICU utilization.
Joe Kaempf, MD
District VIII Oregon Representative
Portland, OR
Volume 12, Number 42