Arms Quote by Devra Davis
“If you are a physician and someone comes to see you with an absolutely incapacitating headache or a swollen arm, you don't tell them, "Come back in 10 years when I've completed my study and I'll see what I can do for you."”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Health Policy Talk, 2015
Physicians should treat urgent problems now rather than postpone for future research.
In simple terms: Treat now, not later.
Key Takeaway
Act promptly with current knowledge.
Themes
responsibility
medicine
ethics
Mood
urgent
ethical
Type
clinical
practical
When to use this quote
- emergency room
- primary care
- public health policy
Key Concepts
patient care
clinical decision-making
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance immediate care with research uncertainty?
- When is it appropriate to wait for new data?
A Different Perspective
Limited evidence may affect long‑term outcomes.
