title: "Never been done before"--consultative issues in innovative therapies.
abstract: The transition of a medical or surgical procedure from impossible to standard therapy requires a stage of experimentation, during which research priorities must be balanced with the interests of the patient. This paper examines such a "first case," and the interpersonal and group dynamics that play a part in the choice of a specific patient to be the first to receive that procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles 90024-1759.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Stuber
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Reed
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011289:Preleukemia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012106:Research; D012803:Sick Role