Article: Bias in Antidepressant Evidence?

This article from Montreal's The Gazette asks the question, "Is there a bias toward publishing only positive results for antidepressants?"

The article questions the integrity of the evidence based approach. Specifically:

This evidence-based medicine relies specifically and primarily on analysis of clinical studies...However, the integrity of this approach depends on whether the available evidence is comprehensive and balanced. Critics have often cited this "publication bias" or the "file drawer effect" whereby negative studies might not make it to publication.

View the complete article from The Gazette (Montreal).

Recommendations: Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis

The Osteoarthritis Research Society International has just released 49 evidence based recommendations for knee and hip osteoarthritis.

From the press release:

The guideline committee was made up of experts from six countries, including 11 rheumatologists, two primary care physicians, one orthopedic surgeon, and two experts on evidence-based medicine.

View the press release or view the complete recommendations from the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (PDF file).

Brought to you by Evidence Based Software

The purpose of this blog is to highlight recent developments in the world of evidence based medicine.

This blog is brought to you by Evidence Based Software.

Abstract: Smart Phones and Evidence Based Medicine

An article published this month in the European journal eLab, reports on a study where medical teams were given smart phones equipped with Internet access to see if having access to evidence based medicine websites would help in patient care.

Abstract from eLab.

Article: Evidence Based Medicine May Reduce Clinical Costs

In an article from The Rutland Herald titled, "Physicians are the cost drivers," the author states:

Evidence-based medicine, that is, medical practice based on the most current research, can reduce clinical costs if physicians prescribe interventions in keeping with the research.

Complete article from The Rutland Herald.

Article: Miracle Workers?

Evidence based medicine just received a mention in the NY Times in an article about the relationship between doctor and patient. From the article:

Ultimately, it is no doubt simply irrational to expect physicians to simultaneously be great clinicians, great scientists and great psychologists and humanists (as well as great accountants). Some are; but a medical system built on the assumption that such mastery can be normative would be an exercise in folly. Perhaps this is why in recent years, the doctrine of “evidence-based medicine” has become so influential in American medicine. By pushing medical providers to make their decisions almost exclusively on the basis of statistics, this doctrine implies that what is good for a group can be assumed to be good for every individual despite the fact that this is often not the case.

Complete article from the NY Times.

Book: Users' Guides to Medical Literature

Description:

Evidence-Based Medicine. From the popular Users' Guides series in JAMA come two state-of-the-art books edited by Drs Gordon Guyatt and Drummond Rennie, with contributions from more than fifty of the most renowned evidence-based medicine (EBM) educators and practitioners in the world. As the culmination of nearly two decades of teaching and research, both of the Users' Guides to the Medical Literature provide the most detailed yet clinician-friendly exposition of the concepts necessary to use the medical literature to solve patient problems. Explore both text and CD-ROM of Users' Guides to the Medical Literature to learn: Why framing the right question is so important How to find and distinguish between strong and weak evidence What's needed to critically appraise the best evidence How to weigh the risks and benefits that precede medical management decisions How to individualize evidence to each patient The Essential EBM Toolkits. Together with the practical glossary, index, appendix of calculations, and laminated quick reference cards, each Users' Guides to the Medical Literature book and CD-ROM constitutes a comprehensive toolkit to support a clinical rounds presentation on evidence-based medicine. CD-ROM (included FREE with either text). Fully hyperlinked and searchable text and graphics Organized, classified, and coded to support electronic outlining, content filtering, and full-text searching Alternative content organizations allow for nonlinear learning experiences Free Access to Interactive Web Site With your purchase of the Users' Guides, you also get an initial free trial subscription to the Users' Guides Interactive Web site at www.usersguides.org . This interactive Web site includes the full text of Users' Guides, alternative browsing paths, references that are hyperlinked to NLM PubMed entries, collections of tips and reminders, interactive worksheets, and additional case scenarios.

Article: Evidence Based Medicine for Pets

This BBC News article discusses a warning from the British Veterinary Association (BVA) regarding alternative treatments for pets. In a section titled, "Evidence Based Medicine," the president-elect of the BVA states:

In the worst cases, animals had been diagnosed by an alternative therapist speaking to the owner on the phone.

"I'm a scientist. I believe in evidence-based medicine... some important problems can be missed."

Complete article from BBC News.

Blog: Insurance Companies are the Champions of Evidence Based Medicine?

In this argument as to the importance of competition between insurance companies, the authors state:

Let me also tell you my ideal world... Insurance companies monitor doctors, read Robin Hanson, and require evidence-based medicine.

The authors also provide one summary of how health insurance companies are promoting evidence based medicine.

Complete blog entry.

The blog entry is also cited in the CBS News article, Living Without The Health Insurance Industry.

Article: Homeopathy Is Not "Effective" in Africa

This opinion from AllAfrica.com argues the need for South Africa to limit state subsidies for complementary medicine.

From the article:

So if the very premise of homeopathy is nonsensical and there is no evidence of efficacy beyond a placebo effect, why is homeopathy accorded recognition by health authorities?

In an era of "evidence-based medicine" and limited resources, why do we have government-subsidized schools of homeopathy at our health science faculties?

The article also mentions the still available $1 million prize available from the famous American magician-turned-skeptic James Randi to anyone who could show an effect using homeopathic medications under controlled conditions.

Complete article from AllAfrica.com.

Article: Is Evidence Based Medicine Appropriate for Supplements?

Part of the meeting this May of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) will be:

[E]xamining the current model of evidence-based medicine and whether or not that is the most appropriate way to study supplements.

The article does not mention what the alternatives are.

Complete article from Nurtra Ingredients.

Brought to You by Evidence Based Software

The purpose of this blog is to highlight recent developments in the world of evidence based medicine.

This blog is brought to you by Evidence Based Software.

Article: The Evidence for Medications

The FDA is trying harder to keep us safe from adverse events from new medications. As this article from MedAdNews points out:

Calls for evidence-based medicine have led physicians and consumers to re-examine the risks versus benefits of existing medications. Many medications have been scientifically tested among a predominantly adult Caucasian population, with less evidence for medication safety and efficacy among specific ethnic/racial groups, women, and pediatric patients.

Complete article from MedAdNews.

Article: No Evidence for Impact of Quality Report Cards?

Quality report cards has been a recent buzzword in government discussions on local and national healthcare standards and 21 states now have them mandated in hospital infection reporting. However, this article questions their effectiveness.

From the article:

Even doctors who support public reporting say implementation of reports needs to be tested just as any other health care intervention should be.

"One of the interesting ironies is that a lot of health care quality work is based on the notion of evidence-based medicine...Systems like public reporting should be evaluated for their impact on quality."

Complete article from the American Medical Association.

Article: Are Patients Making Clinical Decisions?

This summary of a study published in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research discusses how the attitude of patients has changed now that they have readily availble information through technology.

An interesting point made in the article:

[P]atients are not necessarily motivated by evidence-based medicine. They are often willing to adopt the promises of direct-to- consumer marketing.

Complete article from PhysOrg.com.

Article: Evidence on the Evidence

Do randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) fall short in addressing the needs of evidence based medicine?

This article from MedPage Today addresses this question. From the article:

There are relatively few trials because of the cost and time requirements. They include only select populations with limited ability to examine subgroups. Too often findings are published only when positive. And surrogate endpoints are used in circumstances where measuring the primary clinical endpoint requires years of study.

Complete article:
MedPage Today article

Article: "Wiihabilitation" Evidence?

Research centers are beginning to put Nintendo's Wii to the test to see if it can be a tool in physical therapy.

From the article:

While there's plenty of anecdotal evidence that Wii games help in rehab, researcher Lars Oddsson wants to put the games to a real test.

Oddsson is director of the Sister Kenny Research Center at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. The center bought a Wii system last summer and is working with the University of Minnesota to design a study that will measure patients' function "before and after this 'Wiihab,' as someone called it," Oddsson said.

Complete article:
Yahoo! News article

Brought to You by Evidence Based Software

The purpose of this blog is to highlight recent developments in the world of evidence based medicine.

This blog is brought to you by Evidence Based Software.

Article: The Evidence Debate on Obesity

Researchers debate the evidence in the British Medical Journal.

From the article:

They suggest that some public health professionals may have deliberately exaggerated the risks of overweight and obesity... They warn that this has unwelcome implications for science policy and for evidence based medicine.

Complete article from ScienceDaily:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080131214527.htm

Article: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Beleaguered, Part 1

This article, written by a social advocate for the recognition of multiple chemical sensitivity, appeared today on the American Chronicle website:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/50529

From the article:

We are a frequent target of activists who disagree with evidence-based medicine on issues such as multiple chemical sensitivity, dental amalgam disease, and toxic mold.

The somewhat brief article includes 40 references to support the writer's case.

News from Britain: NHS trusts 'reject homoeopathy'

This blog does not have an official position on alternative treatments so please don't email us.

From the article:

Michael Baum, a professor emeritus of surgery who organised the campaign, welcomed the news that funding was being cut.

"The NHS should be putting its money into evidence-based medicine, so this is a good start," he said.

Complete BBC article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7215470.stm

Book: Evidence Based Medicine Applied to Chronic Disease in the Global Setting

A new book discusses how monitoring principles adopted in other spheres such as clinical pharmacology and evidence-based medicine can be applied to chronic disease in the global setting. With contributions from leading experts in evidence-based medicine, it is a ground-breaking text for all involved in delivery of better and more effective management of chronic illnesses.

For more information, see:
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c81491

or buy from Amazon.com:

Welcome to the Evidence Based Medicine Blog!

The purpose of this blog is to highlight recent developments in the world of evidence based medicine.

This blog is brought to you by Evidence Based Software.