MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'controlled'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:57:09 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158863&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F21%2Fpubmeds-higher-sensitivity-than-ovid-medline-other-published-cliches%2F Is it just me, or are biomedical papers about searching for a systematic review often of low quality or just too damn obvious? I’m seldom excited about papers dealing with optimal search strategies or peculiarities of PubMed, even though it is my specialty. It is my impression, that many of the lower quality and/or less relevant papers are [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5158863 Sun, 21 Aug 2011 19:21:49 +0100 5158863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139644&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F14%2Frip-statistician-paul-meier-foster-parent-not-father-of-the-rct%2F This headline in Boing Boing caught my eye today:  RIP Paul Meier, father of the randomized trial Not surprisingly, I knew that Paul Meier (with Kaplan) introduced the Kaplan-Meier estimator (1958), a very important tool for measuring how many patients survive a medical treatment. But I didn’t know he was “father of the randomized trial”…. But is he really?: [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139644 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 21:55:48 +0100 5139644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130671&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F14%2Frip-statistician-paul-meier-foster-parent-not-father-of-the-rct%2F This headline in Boing Boing caught my eye today:  RIP Paul Meier, father of the randomized trial Not surprisingly, I knew that Paul Meier (with Kaplan) introduced the Kaplan-Meier estimator (1958), a very important tool for measuring how many patients survive a medical treatment. But I didn’t know he was “father of the randomized trial”…. But is he really?: [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130671 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 21:55:48 +0100 5130671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008671&cid=t_158958_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSuboxoneTalkZone%2F%7E3%2Fi2yELjH7SyI%2F This is a repost from my blog on PsychCentral: There are changes afoot in the use of opioid agonists for chronic pain treatment. This blog has described the epidemic of opioid dependence that has killed tens of thousands of people across the country over the past few years, and the changes are directed toward reducing the harm caused by this epidemic. A number of interventions have been proposed. Vicodin, the number one-selling medication in the country, contains the opioid hydrocodone combined with acetaminophen, the agent in Tylenol. Hydrocodone and Vicodin are currently ‘Schedule III’ medications, and will likely move to Schedule II, where oxycodone, Oxycontin, and Percocet are currently assigned. The change will have significant impact on the use of Vicodin and hydrocodone, since m... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008671 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:05:01 +0100 5008671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992817&cid=t_158958_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fresearch-brief-how-do-attention-and.html The journal Neuropsychologia has a new special issue dealing with the constructs of attention and short-term/working memory. The guest editors remarks can be found here.- iPost using BlogPress from my Kevin McGrew's iPadintelligence IQ tests IQ testing IQ scores CHC intelligence theory CHC theory Cattell-Horn-Carroll human cognitive abilities psychology school psychology individual differences cognitive psychology neuropsychology neuroscience psychology special education educational psychology psychometrics psychological assessment psychological measurement IQs Corner general intelligence g attention controlled attention executive attention Gsm short-term memory working memory executive functions Neuropsychologia Generated by: Tag Generator (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence The... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992817 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:26:00 +0100 4992817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803529&cid=t_158958_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FAH66PH84lEw%2F Can observational studies that rely on patient reports from an Internet site contribute meaningfully to product development and evaluation? A new study in Nature Biotechnology suggests this may be so. While such studies are no substitute for randomized clinical trials, the authors argue that patients are experimenting and swapping notes on the Internet anyway. So why not make use of such data? Moreover, they argue there are several benefits. To wit, the researchers analyzed data reported on the PatientsLikeMe web site by folks with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and experimented with lithium carbonate as an off-label treatment. The web site had already built a data collection tool to capture info about ALS patients who registered there and began taking the drug off-label in consultati... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803529 Mon, 09 May 2011 15:15:44 +0100 4803529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758703&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F27%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2011-vol-305-no-12%2F The objective of this study is to test the efficacy of hydrocortisone therapy in trauma patients. The study concludes that in intubated trauma patients, the use of an intravenous stress-dose of hydrocortisone, compared with placebo, resulted in a decreased risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article, alternatively contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals Tagged: Cross Infection, Hydrocortisone, Intensive Care Units, Intubation, Patient Safety, Pneumonia, Randomised Controlled Trials, Trauma, Wounds and Injuries (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758703 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:50:27 +0100 4758703 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758709&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F27%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2011-vol-305-no-5%2F The objective of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the overall risk of fatal adverse effects (FAEs) associated with bevacizumab, an angiogenesis inhibitor, used in conjunction with chemotherapy. The article concludes that in a meta-analysis of RCTs, bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy or biological therapy, compared with chemotherapy alone, was associated with increased treatment-related mortality. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online, alternatively contact the Library for a copy of this article Filed under: Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals Tagged: Bevacizumab, Cancer, Drug Therapy, Fatal Adverse Effects, Randomised Controlled Trials (Sourc... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758709 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 10:26:16 +0100 4758709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642716&cid=t_158958_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fwhat-medicine-can-teach-economists-and.html There's a lot doctors can learn from other professionals - and there's a lot doctors can teach others as well !An interesting "recent" innovation in economics is the introduction of "controlled trials" to determine the true impact of interventions to help alleviate poverty. Common sense would suggest that giving the poor loans will them help to turn around their lives - but in reality, this is not what usually happens. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and "aid" can often end up killing initiative ; fueling waste and corruption; and breeding dependence ! Handouts don't always work well - and it's easy to waste a lot of money very quickly ! The only way to find out what works and what does not work is to perform experiments in the field - something which doctors are very good ... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642716 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 03:38:00 +0100 4642716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622270&cid=t_158958_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2011%2F03%2F22%2Fdoctor-shopping-and-insurance-fraud-and-asshat-patients-oh-my%2F Man, these folks are coming out of the woodwork! Had a lady call me for a refill (on we'll say 3/19) on her (surprise) Norco 10/325 last week because she was (surprise) going out of town. It had been 9 days since we had refilled it. The prescription was for 50 tablets taken every 6 hours. I put it in as a 13 day supply. I told her that it would be "a few more days" before it could be filled. She, of course, did not agree with me. She tried to tell me that it was a 12-day supply and we, meaning my pharmacy, "always fill it three days early." Well, she's wrong...maybe two days early...on a 30 day supply...if the patient isn't a problem.... The fact that she argued with me about filling it early, about it being a 12 day supply versus a 13 day supply, and told me what MY pharmacy always does g... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622270 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 04:37:33 +0100 4622270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575065&cid=t_158958_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2011%2F03%2F11%2Fscaring-a-doctor-shopper-straight-before-its-too-late%2F Young lady brought in a prescription today for #14 Vicodin. I'm not sure why doctor shoppers haven't figured this out yet, but one of those ignorant comments you make is, "I DON'T WANT THIS RUN ON MY INSURANCE!" That comment immediately raises my suspicion level. Now, this young lady didn't say that -- it was a variant that can be equally suspicious, "How much does this cost? Cash Price. I no longer have insurance." The fact someone says this isn't always suspicious, but the fact she said it twice (and awkwardly at that) did set off my bullshit detector. She told me that she wasn't on file -- luckily she was -- and lookie there....A MEDICAID CARD! I, of course, didn't tell her that I had this information. I ran it, and low and behold, it rejects. I call up Medicaid to inquire about doses, ... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575065 Sat, 12 Mar 2011 04:19:23 +0100 4575065 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4566339&cid=t_158958_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FP09cTmu9FyE%2F In recent years, the meta-analysis has taken on new prominence. These are, of course, not new studies, but detailed reviews combining results of several studies in order to address a hypothesis. Perhaps one of the most high-profile examples was published in 2007 in The New England Journal of Medicine and determined the Avandia diabetes pill led to a greater chance of cardiovascular risk. However, the meta-analysis has also been criticized as an imperfect beast, since sources of bias are not controlled by method, which is considered a weakness. A new study, though, has found another reason to take issue - most meta-analysis authors are not examining whether the authors of the underlying randomized, controlled clinical trials have disclosed conflicts of interest. Specifically, of 29 meta-ana... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4566339 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:59:53 +0100 4566339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560352&cid=t_158958_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F08%2Fdoes-interpersonal-psychotherapy-work-for-depression%2F Psychotherapy. You know, I spend a lot of time talking about it here, and it’s no wonder — it’s an effective treatment modality that too many people simply aren’t even considering. Much less using. Psychotherapy research is less likely to be biased than other types of treatment research, too, because researchers tend not to be treatment providers nor have any direct (or even indirect) financial incentives in the outcomes of their research. Sure, there remains the “publication bias” that affects all research, but generally speaking, I tend to trust psychotherapy research data more than I do most psychiatric medication research. So I was interested to read a recent meta-analysis on a specific form of psychotherapy called interpersonal psychotherapy for th... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560352 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:10:08 +0100 4560352 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4455484&cid=t_158958_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FmsXo3RF7Rpo%2F For much of the past year, the FDA accelerated approval program has come under withering scrutiny. Last June, Pfizer withdrew a drug used to treat acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, after a study found a lack of clinical benefit and an unexpected number of deaths. But the study didn’t get under way until four years after approval was granted in 2000 (back story). More recently, the FDA decided the breast-cancer indication for Roche’s Avastin should be withdrawn after studies found patients on the med and chemotherpay didn’t survive longer than those given chemo alone. And Avastin patients suffered more serious side effects. The decision amounted to an about-face, having endorsed the indication in 2008 under accelerated approval (look here). And so the FDA’s Oncologic Drugs... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4455484 Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:06:27 +0100 4455484 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4322507&cid=t_158958_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpain-contracts-do-they-threaten-the-doctor-patient-relationship%2F2011.01.07 Doctors today are wary about treating chronic pain. One of the main worries is precipitating fatal opioid overdoses. Indeed, according to the CDC, and reported by American Medical News, “fatal opioid overdoses tripled to nearly 14,000 from 1999 to 2006 … [and] emergency department visits involving opioids more than doubled to nearly 306,000 between 2004 and 2008.” Requiring chronic pain patients to sign pain contracts is a way to mitigate this risk. But how does that affect the doctor-patient relationship? Indeed, a contract is an adversarial tool. Essentially, it states that a patient must comply with a strict set of rules in order to receive medications, including where and how often they obtain controlled substances, and may involve random drug testing. Break the contract and the ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4322507 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 20:00:11 +0100 4322507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4281275&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F22%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2010-vol-304-no-24%2F This article evaluates lymphoedema onset after a 1-year weight lifting intervention vs no exercise (control) among survivors at risk for breast cancer–related lymphoedema (BCRL). The article concludes that in breast cancer survivors at risk for lymphoedema, a programme of slowly progressive weight lifting compared with no exercise did not result in increased incidence of lymphoedema. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online, alternatively contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Athens Password, E-Journals, Journals, Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Breast Cancer, Exercise Therapy, Lymphoedema, Randomised Controlled Trials, United States, Weight Lifting (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4281275 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:25:02 +0100 4281275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4118791&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F27%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2010-vol-304-no-16%2F The objective of this study was to test whether a free prepared meal and incentivised structured weight loss program promotes greater weight loss and weight loss maintenance at 2 years compared with usual care. The article concludes that compared with usual care, this structured weight loss program resulted in greater weight loss over 2 years. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online, alternatively contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals Tagged: Incentives, Randomised Controlled Trials, United States, Weight Loss, Women (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4118791 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:01:15 +0100 4118791 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013545&cid=t_158958_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FkoB2Sk4HOgk%2F Rise and shine, everyone. Another sunny day is emerging here on the Pharmalot corporate campus where we are happily brewing our latest cup of stimulation - aromatic Southern Pecan. Please join us as we indulge, even if you prefer a healthy bottle of water instead. Meanwhile, here are a few tidbits from around your universe. Hope your day goes well and do stay in touch… Bristol-Myers Squibb Recalls Some Avalide Samples (Reuters) Failed Hepatitis Vaccine Protected Infants In Study (MedPage Today) UK’s NICE Backs Some Herceptin Use In Gastric Cancer (Reuters) Lilly Scientists Have New Home For Designing Cancer Meds (Indianapolis Star) New Bayer CEO Sees More M&A Spending (Bloomberg News) Prescription Meds Overtake Illegal Substances (Los Angeles Times) Pediatricians Want To ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013545 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:47:14 +0100 4013545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993813&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F22%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2010-vol-304-no-12%2F This article determines the value of self-management counselling plus heart failure education, compared with heart failure education alone, for the primary end point of death or heart failure hospitalization. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article, alternatively contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals Tagged: Heart Failure, Patient Counselling, Patient Education, Randomised Controlled Trials (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993813 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 06:24:52 +0100 3993813 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987233&cid=t_158958_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FF6ERgR5025Y%2F There is nothing like a story that tugs on the heart strings and forces reconsideration of an issue. Take the very sad tale of two close cousins from California who both developed melanoma - Tom McLaughlin landed in the experimental arm of a clinical trial for a Roche drug, PLX4032, while Brandon Ryan was chosen by computer lottery for the placebo. Their plight and the implications were detailed movingly in The New York Times. The central issue raised is whether a controlled trial for extending life is ethical. In this instance, PLX4032 was shown to shrink tumors in some patients, but only for a limited time, and the key question was whether those patients would live longer. The standard chemotherapy used in melanoma, dacarbazine, slowed tumor growth in 15 percent of patients for an averag... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987233 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:37:26 +0100 3987233 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3938421&cid=t_158958_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FncOsKc_7GXs%2F Many parents, health care professionals, and educators agree that there is a pressing need to develop effective treatments for ADHD to complement or substitute for traditional medication and behavior therapy approaches. This is because such treatments do not work for everyone, important difficulties often remain even when these treatments are effective, and evidence for the long-term benefits of these treatments remains less compelling than one would like. In addition, in the case of medication treatment, some individuals experience intolerable side effects and many have concerns about taking ADHD medication for an extended period. One alternative approach to treating ADHD has relied on the use of Compound Herbal Preparations (CHP) derived from traditional Chinese medicine. Practitioners o... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3938421 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:05:56 +0100 3938421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3889080&cid=t_158958_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsoap-drugs-and-rock-and-roll%2F2010.08.20 By ClinkShrink There’s always something new, even in the world of substance abuse. Lately I’ve been reading a lot in the media about K2, a synthetic cannabinoid that’s being sold (and outlawed) in many states. It’s commonly mixed with herbal incense and smoked. Nicknamed “spice,” it was originally created by scientists and called JWH-018. Apparently some states’ poison control centers have been getting calls about it due to the physical symptoms it can cause, specifically palpitations and GI problems. The part of the story that I thought was interesting was the fact that originally only 250 milligrams of the stuff was created, in an “official” research lab, but that home chemists quickly took up the experiment and it’s now a part ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3889080 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:03:20 +0100 3889080 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3845054&cid=t_158958_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fprosthetic-limbs-controlled-brain-power-close-reality%2F The Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins Hospital is now testing the development of prosthetic limbs controlled by the most powerful robot of all – the wearer’s own brain thoughts. Director Michael McLoughlin discusses this work. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3845054 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 10:00:25 +0100 3845054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3679737&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F17%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2010-vol-303-no-19-2%2F This article aims to determine whether a flexible treatment-delivery model for multiple primary care anxiety disorders (panic, generalised anxiety, social anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorders) would be better than usual care. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online, alternatively contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals, Primary Care Tagged: Anxiety, Evidence Based Practice, Mental Disorders, Mental Health, Primary Care, Randomised Controlled Trials (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3679737 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:59:40 +0100 3679737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3556067&cid=t_158958_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F4zNe_Da5boE%2F By David BoazHo-hum. Another administration, another “comprehensive plan to combat drug abuse, putting the focus on prevention and treatment strategies.” This one “calls for a 15 percent reduction in youth drug use, a 10 percent decrease in drugged driving, and a 15 percent reduction in overall drug-related deaths by 2015.” It involves more central planning — “ the creation of a community-based national prevention system” – more taxpayers’ money — “an expanded array of intervention-oriented treatment programs” — and more nannyism — “a push to screen patients early for signs of substance abuse, even during routine appointments, and the expansion of prescription-drug monitoring programs.” And d... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3556067 Wed, 12 May 2010 14:52:58 +0100 3556067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538090&cid=t_158958_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdo-you-own-your-genome%2F2010.05.06 As the costs of sequencing our DNA shrink and the roles of digital media in our lives expand, we will need to understand who (or what) controls the ownership, access and use of our genomic information. From state regulation to Google to Facebook, who controls the acquisition, transmission and replication of our genomic information and material will become an important battle in the 21st century. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Phil Baumann* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538090 Thu, 06 May 2010 14:00:11 +0100 3538090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3448912&cid=t_158958_109_f&fid=34730&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychiatrist-blog.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fshopping-spree.html CNN recently had a story entitled How physicians try to prevent 'doctor shopping', about states' efforts to control and prevent prescription drug abuse. While it's a good story, it's unfortunate that we only tend to talk about this issue after the overdose death of a celebrity. Here at Shrink Rap we've talked before about our concerns and challenges related to this issue in a series of blog posts and one podcast which we've collectively referred to as "the Benzo Wars".The Shrink Rappers have seen both sides of the prescription drug abuse issue and so we have different opinions about it. Neither opinion is all right or all wrong, we just differ on the degree of the problem and to some degree how it should be handled. Our opinions are shaped by the patients we treat: Dinah has a private prac... Shrink Rap blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3448912 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:00:00 +0100 3448912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3390801&cid=t_158958_109_f&fid=34730&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychiatrist-blog.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fmy-three-shrinks-podcast-50-more-about.html In this show we continue with our guest Dr. Pat Barta of the Adventures in Telepsychiatry blog.We talk about electronic health information systems and Clink continues her rant which she started in her post Rage Against The Machine. Roy mentions the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which provides funding incentives for doctors who use health information technology. We cover developing standards for behavioral health information technology, including personal health records which allow patients to store their own information voluntarily "in the cloud", on a server. Dr. Pat Barta talks Open source health record systems and information security.Health Data Rights is an organization that developed a proposed declaration of... Shrink Rap blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3390801 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0100 3390801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294542&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F21%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2010-vol-303-no-6%2F This article compares the outcomes of gastric banding against an optimal lifestyle program in adolescent obesity. The article concludes that among obese adolescent participants, use of gastric banding compared with lifestyle intervention resulted in a greater percentage achieving a loss of 50% of excess weight, corrected for age. There were associated benefits to health and quality of life. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online Filed under: Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals Tagged: Adolescence, adolescents, Bariatric Surgery, Exercise, Gastric Banding, Healthy lifestyles, Nutrition, Quality of Life, Randomised Controlled Trials, United States (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294542 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:49:16 +0100 3294542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3269661&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F01%2Fnotsofunny-ridiculing-rcts-and-ebm%2F I remember it well. As a young researcher I presented my findings in one of my first talks, at the end of which the chair killed my work with a remark, that made the whole room of scientists laugh, but was really beside the point. My supervisor, a truly original and very wise scientist, suppressed [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3269661 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:28:37 +0100 3269661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3227701&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F01%2Fnotsofunny-ridiculing-rcts-and-ebm%2F I remember it well. As a young researcher I presented my findings in one of my first talks, at the end of which the chair killed my work with a remark, that made the whole room of scientists laugh, but was really beside the point. My supervisor, a truly original and very wise scientist, suppressed [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3227701 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:28:37 +0100 3227701 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3220485&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F29%2Ffriday-foolery-15-the-man-who-pioneered-the-rct%2F This BMJ video certainly belongs on a blog like this, focussing on EBM. This video shows “John Crofton who pioneered the randomised controlled trial in a 1948 BMJ paper which looked at the antibiotic streptomycin to treat TB. Now in his 90s, Dr Crofton talks to Colin Blakemore about the importance of randomisation and blinding, [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3220485 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:34:51 +0100 3220485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3159805&cid=t_158958_109_f&fid=38951&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarlatpsychiatry.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fantidepressants-ineffective-dont_11.html Last week, I posted part 1 of my reaction to the JAMA study showing that antidepressants don't beat placebo for mild to moderate depression. The many comments I received were intelligent and informed--reading them will give anybody an instant education in the limitations of antidepressant research. It has been clear for years that antidepressants barely outperform sugar pills, at least in the artificial environment of the double blind, placebo controlled study. It is also clear that most psychiatrists in the trenches are perplexed by these results, because in our practices we appear to see people responding very robustly to antidepressants--including those with only mild to moderate symptoms. So what gives? I presented a hypothetical patient who became depressed because of financial woes... The Carlat Psychiatry Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3159805 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:54:00 +0100 3159805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3153444&cid=t_158958_109_f&fid=38951&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarlatpsychiatry.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fantidepressants-ineffective-dont.html A recent study in JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association) appeared to show that antidepressants do not work well in patients whose depression is mild to moderate, which is the majority of patients. The authors combined the results of six studies (three evaluated Paxil and three evaluated the old tricyclic imipramine) and found that there was little difference between active drug and placebo in patients with less severe depression. However, there was a large benefit of the active drug in patients with very severe depression.The study made news--see, for example, this piece in the New York Times. But do the results really mean that antidepressants are ineffective? I don't think so. In order to understand the implications of the study, you have to understand how clinical trials... The Carlat Psychiatry Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3153444 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:54:00 +0100 3153444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3108320&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F21%2Fhat%25e2%2580%2599s-new-for-2010-mesh-medical-subject-headings%2F Lists of new and changed vocabulary are available at these links: + MeSH Vocabulary Changes + New Descriptors – 2010 + Changed Descriptors – 2010 + Deleted Descriptors – 2010 + New Descriptors by Tree Subcategory – 2010 Thanks to the folk at Resource Shelf for pointing this out. Posted in Librarianship, Literature Searching Tagged: Controlled Vocabularies, Librarianship, Literature Searching (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3108320 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:01:22 +0100 3108320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3018950&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F23%2Fbmj-2009-vol-339-no-7730%2F content page Fade Fave: Outcomes and costs of primary care surveillance and intervention for overweight or obese children: the LEAP 2 randomised controlled trial Fade Skinny: the object of the research was to determine whether ascertainment of childhood obesity by surveillance followed by structured secondary prevention in primary care improved outcomes in overweight or mildly obese children. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Posted in Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals Tagged: Athens Password, Children, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Obesity, Randomised Controlled Trials (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3018950 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:34:29 +0100 3018950 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2973885&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F09%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-vol-302-no-17%2F Contents Fade Fave: Surgical mask vs N95 respirator for preventing influenza amongst health care workers Fade Skinny: Data about the effectiveness of the surgical mask compared with the N95 respirator for protecting health care workers is sparse. Given the likelihood that N95 respirators will be in short supply during the pandemic and unavailable in many countries, knowing the effectiveness of the surgical mask is of public health importance. An NHS Athens Password is required to access this article online, for a paper copy contact the library Posted in Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Clinical Trials, Communicable Diseases, H1N1, Randomised Controlled Trials, Respirator, Surgical Mask (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2973885 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:28:10 +0100 2973885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2790318&cid=t_158958_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FzuWe5iHjidM%2F I was sent the following guest blog post from DrFirst. Controlled substance regulations have always thrown a bit of a wrench in the cranks of ePrescribing initiatives. So, the fact that the first ever electronic prescriptions of a controlled substance is an important milestone for digitizing healthcare. Check out the full guest blog post: At 2:42pm EDT yesterday, Michael Blackman, MD and CMIO of Berkshire Medical Center, sent the nation’s first prescription of a controlled substance electronically, using DrFirst’s Rcopia electronic prescribing application. DrFirst was granted a DEA waiver to send Schedule II-V Medications as a part of the Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS) pilot program in Massachusetts, a program facilitated by an AHRQ grant. After Rcopia’s drug,... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2790318 Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:30:51 +0100 2790318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2719659&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F20%2Fbmj-2009-vol-339-no-7717%2F content page Title: Effect of using an interactive booklet about childhood respiratory tract infections in primary care consultations on reconsulting and antibiotic prescribing: a cluster randomised controlled trial Skinny: Pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial which sets out to establish whether an interactive booklet on respiratory tract infections in children: reduces reconsultation for the same illness episode reduces antibiotic use affects future consulting intentions maintains parental satisfaction with care 61 general practices in Wales and England were involved in the trial, with 558 participants aged from 6 months to 16 years.   (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Posted in Athens Password, Children, E-Journals, Prescribing, Respiratory D... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2719659 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:22:09 +0100 2719659 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2477515&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F15%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2009-vol-301-no-20%2F This article looks at whether a combined pharmalogical  and behavioural intervention improves both depression and pain in primary care patients with musculoskeletal and comorbid depression. NHS Athens is required to access this article online Posted in Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Depression, Pain, Primary Care, Randomised Controlled Trials (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2477515 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:10:56 +0100 2477515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2477492&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F15%2Fcecem-bridging-the-gap-between-evidence-based-practice-and-practice-based-evidence%2F A very interesting presentation at the CECEM was given by the organizer of this continental Cochrane meeting, Rob de Bie. De Bie is Professor of Physiotherapy Research and director of Education of the Faculty of Health within the dept. of Epidemiology of the Maastricht University. He is both a certified physiotherapist and an epidemiologist. [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2477492 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 02:32:34 +0100 2477492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441348&cid=t_158958_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F05%2Fde-testimonio%2F I recently discovered the online slideshow (with audio) version of Professor Sir Michael Rawlins’ 2008 Harveian Oration titled “De testimonio: On the evidence for decisions about the use of therapeutic interventions”. Now, I’ve nodded off in more than my share of lectures on medical statistics and clinical trials, so believe me when I claim that this [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441348 Thu, 21 May 2009 21:00:14 +0100 2441348 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2375785&cid=t_158958_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F27%2Fsome-sugars-worse-than-others-the-bittersweet-fructoseglucose-debate%2F Excessive consumption of sugar has been associated with increased incidences of type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset diabetes, obesity and tooth decay. There are many sugars around. Natural sugars and refined sugars. The refined table sugar and sugar cubes would be called “sucrose” by a chemist. Sucrose consists of two simple sugars (monosaccharides): 1 fructose and [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2375785 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:11:40 +0100 2375785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2307454&cid=t_158958_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F04%2Fquackery-without-scruples%2F With disappointment I report the existence of the organisation called “Homeopaths Without Borders” . Yes, really. They really do exist.  I have to agree with PZ Myers who, given the brazen adulteration the good name of MSF (”Doctors Without Borders”), thinks that “Quackery Without Scruples” is more appropriate. The propagation of any practice - especially something [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2307454 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:00:26 +0100 2307454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2093781&cid=t_158958_88_f&fid=38203&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprecordialthump.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F01%2F09%2Fhomeopathy%2F Some years ago I saw the Horizon documentary “Homeopathy - The Test”, which assesses the scientific validity (or lack thereof…) of homeopathy. (courtesy of YouTube) It makes great viewing for many reasons. Firstly, it examines the claims of, and possible explanations for, the effectiveness of homeopathy. It takes scientific reports for the effectiveness of homeopathy seriously, and then puts them to the test. The film also provides an excellent introduction to the “double-blind randomised controlled trial” - the study design generally recognised in medical science as the “gold standard”, because it removes confounding factors and accounts for the placebo effect. Brilliant arch-skeptic and debunker James Randi plays a key role in the story; his pres... AEQUANIMITAS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2093781 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:52:20 +0100 2093781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2077288&cid=t_158958_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fgenes-control-your-personality.html GENES DICTATE YOUR PERSONALITY Genes influence how we act and interact in unpredictable ways. Your genes cause half of your behavioral traits. Scientists are trying to nail down the genes that give you your unique personality. How can your social behavior be linked at a genomic level? Genes do not directly dictate your behavior. Brain development, and behavior depend on what you inherited and also how your environment has influenced you. You produce, receive, and interpret social signals that all influence how you act. How do your genes respond to social stimuli? Social stimuli lead you to change your behavior. This alters the pathways of your brain's gene expression. Thousands of genes are involved at once in different brain regions. There are shifts in your neurogenic state rather than a... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2077288 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:06:00 +0100 2077288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1999433&cid=t_158958_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSuboxoneTalkZone%2F%7E3%2F468629807%2F The topic of post-op pain control on buprenorphine is important enough to get top billing Many thanks to Dr. J Walsh in Seattle for the following post: I am a physician in Seattle.  In two c-section cases we have found that high affinity opiates (fentanyl or hydromorphone) delivered by PCA can provide adequate anesthesia even while sublingual buprenorphine is continued. To clarify, patients taking Suboxone, Subutex, or any other form of buprenorphine face a problem when they need pain control, particularly if the need is acute– after injury or surgery.  Buprenorphine is a ‘partial agonist’ at the mu opiate receptor;  it has a ‘ceiling’ to its effects, so that increases in dose of buprenorphine will not provide increased analgesia.  This is great for addic... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1999433 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:22:16 +0100 1999433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1852739&cid=t_158958_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F410350224%2F The big distributor was charged with failing to report suspicious sales of hydrocodone, which is a violation under the Controlled Substances Act, despite repeated warnings, according to the US Drug Enforcement Agency. The med was later distributed to pharmacies that filled illegitimate prescriptions from rogue Internet pharmacies. Drugmakers and distributors are required to monitor and report suspicious orders of controlled substances. But the DEA says Cardinal allowed the diversion of millions of dosage units of hydrocodone, which is the generic name of a prescription painkiller that is classified under federal narcotics law as a Schedule III controlled substance. Cardinal’s “negligent conduct contributed to our nation’s serious pharmaceutical abuse problem,” Miche... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1852739 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:12:17 +0100 1852739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1683438&cid=t_158958_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F356749327%2F The healthcare giant coughed up the money in order to settle federal allegations that a plant in Lititz, Pennsvylvania, which it acquired in 2006 as part of its purchase of Pfizer’s consumer health care business, violated paperwork regulations for controlled substances, according to the US Attorney in Philadelphia (read the statement). The manufacturing plant was accused of importing controlled substances - in this case, Benadryl-D - from Canada without filing a notification with the US Drug Enforcement Agency between 2001 and 2005. The med contains pseudophedrine, which is a controlled substance pseudophedrine. The Controlled Substances Act requires anyone who imports, distributes and dispenses controlled substances to report to the DEA any importation. The reports allow the agency... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1683438 Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:26:07 +0100 1683438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1631583&cid=t_158958_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F337125000%2F The big wholesaler has agreed to pay a fine of $105,000 to settle a charge by the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy that it failed to report increases in drug orders from a rogue pharmacist, The Columbus Dispatch reports. The fine relates to Cardinal Health’s shipments of controlled substances to Caringwell Pharmacy in Dublin, Ohio, from November 2006 until March 2007. The board said Cardinal provided addictive drugs, including prescription painkillers and anxiety meds, the paper writes. The pharmacy board, which regulates drug sellers and distributors that do business in Ohio, closed Caringwell last year for illegally selling the meds over the Internet. The board investigated Cardinal for failing to report the pharmacy had significantly increased orders of controlled substances, as is ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1631583 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:38:23 +0100 1631583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1188575&cid=t_158958_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F01%2F30%2Fa-love-letter-to-ect%2F We have a lot of respect for James Potash, a well-known researcher from Johns Hopkins who has made his career by studying the genetic basis of mood disorders and schizophrenia and possible overlaps. So we were a little saddened to see him write this love letter to ECT, over at ABC News. We don’t doubt that ECT has helped many, many people over the years, and, that as a treatment of last resort for people with serious, chronic depression, it is relatively effective. We’re a little concerned about his data in this article. ECT doesn’t appear to be effective in 75% of cases where it is used, from our reading of the research — its efficacy in fact varies from about 25% to 65% (see, for example, Eschweiler, et. al., 2007; Kellner, et. al. 2006; Kho, et. al., 2005). Si... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1188575 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:53:19 +0100 1188575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1064847&cid=t_158958_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F12%2F02%2Fevidence-based-management-techniques%2F Vaughan has, unsurprisingly, found no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on “management techniques.” I say “unsurprisingly” because effective management of people in a work setting is not something that has been studied in that manner, since that’s not how researchers conduct studies in all fields and disciplines. Not to say there isn’t research in this area, because, of course, there is. There’s an entire field of study called industrial and organizational psychology that studies how psychology works in organizations and business. So I think it’s a bit unfair holding this field up to another field’s gold standard. Sociologists also generally don’t employ RCTs, nor do epidemiologists. Does that make their science any less val... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1064847 Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:38:17 +0100 1064847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=912073&cid=t_158958_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F162545580%2F A few weeks back I wrote about Calorie King. Well, I have just been notified that Calorie King is going mobile! That is some good stuff indeed You can check it out from wherever, whenever. Yeah ha! CalorieKing recently launched CalorieKing Mobile– a new Web site application that allows any Internet-enabled mobile phone or smartphone to search, for FREE, CalorieKing’s 50,000 item food database for details including calories, carbohydrates, fat, protein, and more. Users can select what they eat at each meal (at a restaurant, take-out or at home) from the database, so there are no excuses for consuming “hidden calories”. In addition, members of the CalorieKing.com online weight management community can access vital membership information such as the total number of calories consum... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=912073 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 17:46:03 +0100 912073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=814294&cid=t_158958_151_f&fid=35823&url=http%3A%2F%2Faddiction-dirkh.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fmyth-of-controlled-drinking.html Forward into the Past: White-Knuckle AlcoholicsFor the past two decades, social psychologist Stanton Peele has questioned the necessity of abstinence for alcoholics, claiming, in The Meaning of Addiction and in Diseasing Of America: Addiction Treatment Out Of Control, that the “myth” of instant relapse is not well supported by statistical research.Bulling his way past hundreds of published scientific studies about the neurobiology of addiction, Peele continues to insist that the disease concept of alcoholism has no basis in current science. Believing that people’s personal values determine whether or not they become addicts, Peele has also written that “no data of any sort support the idea that addiction is a characteristic of some mood-altering substances and not of others.”“T... Addiction Inbox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=814294 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:29:00 +0100 814294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=531137&cid=t_158958_132_f&fid=35037&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.isavoir.com%2Fpost%2F2007%2F04%2F08%2FWhy-do-we-need-a-controlled-vocabulary The first common question for the neophyte can be : What is the purpose of having a vocabulary ? The man for a few centuries likes to organize, cut out, structure, treat on a hierarchical basis. Sometimes this hierarchisation is so excessive that one loses the direction of them first as often arrived oneself among the naturalists of the 19th century. To have a particular vocabulary to describe a field allows to organize your knowledge. Ontology Let us approach a first painful point immediately to thus evacuate it and concentrate on the subject. The origin of the word ontology such as defined in the majority of the dictionaries will not find any reference to data processing. ontology |änˈtäləjē| noun The branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being. ORIGIN early 18th cent.: f... DNA MANIA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=531137 Tue, 10 Apr 2007 03:13:02 +0100 531137 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=530460&cid=t_158958_132_f&fid=35037&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.isavoir.com%2Fpost%2F2007%2F04%2F08%2FWhy-do-we-need-a-controlled-vocabulary The first common question for the neophyte can be : What is the purpose of having a vocabulary ? The man for a few centuries likes to organize, cut out, structure, treat on a hierarchical basis. Sometimes this hierarchisation is so excessive that one loses the direction of them first as often arrived oneself among the naturalists of the 19th century. To have a particular vocabulary to describe a field allows to organize your knowledge. In Philosophy. Part of the metaphysics which applies to the being as being, independently of its particular determinations. “Being And Nothingness, phenomenologic test of ontology”, Jean-Paul Sartre. What is found about Ontology in Webster's dictionary : ontology |änˈtäləjē| noun the branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being. ORIGIN ea... DNA MANIA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=530460 Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:22:03 +0100 530460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=529709&cid=t_158958_132_f&fid=35037&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.isavoir.com%2Fpost%2F2007%2F04%2F08%2FWhy-do-we-need-a-controlled-vocabulary The first common question for the neophyte can be : What is the purpose of having a vocabulary ? The man for a few centuries likes to organize, cut out, structure, treat on a hierarchical basis. Sometimes this hierarchisation is so excessive that one loses the direction of them first as often arrived oneself among the naturalists of the 19th century. To have a particular vocabulary to describe a field allows to organize your knowledge. Philosophy. Part of the metaphysics which applies to the being as being, independently of its particular determinations. “Being And Nothingness, phenomenologic test of ontology”, Jean-Paul Sartre. ontology |änˈtäləjē| noun the branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being. ORIGIN early 18th cent.: from modern Latin ontologia, from Greek ō... DNA MANIA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=529709 Mon, 09 Apr 2007 01:30:04 +0100 529709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=483038&cid=t_158958_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F3%2F19%2Fwhy-so-much-medical-research-is-rot.html A brief article in the February 24, 2007 issue of The Economist, with the title “Why so much medical research is rot” describes how poorly designed and poorly interpreted medical research is polluting the medical literature and confusing the public. You know the kind of studies I am talking about. They are usually observational studies purporting to show a relationship between two things (e.g., eating lemons and having blond hair). These studies are ubiquitous and often garner headlines. Some of them have even earned space on TDWI, but hopefully always with the caveat that the studies are not the gold standard in research, that is, the randomized controlled clinical trial.The Economist article describes a presentation to the American Association for the Advancement of Science b... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=483038 Tue, 20 Mar 2007 03:25:30 +0100 483038