Summary |
Nosology raises philosophical questions about what bases are and should be used for classifying diseases, often focusing on the use of biomedical (etiological/pathogenetic) versus symptomatic bases, and the nature of the ‘boundaries’ between conditions. Much of the existing literature focuses on mental disorder. Literature in applied ethics and related medical humanities examines how nosological systems have been shaped by social and historical factors; shape the practice of medicine at both clinical and policy levels; and raises a range of ethical issues such as access to treatment, labelling, and research practices. |