FACTITIOUS DISEASES: CLINICAL STAFF CONFERENCE AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

Abstract

DR. JOSEPH J. BUNIM: Since the Clinical Center opened in July 1953 we have protested that this is not a diagnostic center, nor is it an institution devoted primarily to the care of patients. Our primary responsibility is to design and conduct clinical research studies. Before we embark on investigative studies, however, it is most important that we arrive at an unequivocal diagnosis independently in each case referred to the Clinical Center. We have found that a surprising number of patients have had diseases that had not been recognized before admission. How closely the presumptive diagnosis simulated the "real thing"