what does 'novel approach' or 'novel treatment' mean in medicine?

novel means new

Novel Meaning

A novel approach or treatment usually means a doctor tried a new or unusual approach to treating a patient or condition. The implication being that it worked--maybe even to the surprise of others or the doctors. An example of this might be sometimes using medicines for a condition to treat an unrelated condition that might have similar symptoms, and while the causes of both conditions are different it still works.

there is no question that more people "get well" despite medical treatment than because of it. allopathy often sweeps symptoms under the rug until a crisis appears, then uses emergency means to save the patient's life. great. both doctor and patient consider the doc a hero. but if he had fixed the cause in the first place instead of suppressing the warning signs, the patient could be well and the whole mess averted. and, of course, the cause remaining intact, the patient is also still sick, awaiting the next crisis.

What Does Treatment Mean

Innovative; unique; new; unusual