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 'evidence based'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:57:09 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158863&cid=t_158962_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=5158864&cid=t_158962_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F19%2Ffollowfriday-ff-drjengunter-ebm-sex-health-expert-wielding-the-lasso-of-truth%2F If you’re on Twitter you probably seen the #FF or #FollowFriday phenomenon. FollowFriday is a way to recommend people on Twitter to others. For at least 2 reasons: to acknowledge your favorite tweople and to make it easier for your followers to find new interesting people. However, some #FollowFriday tweet-series are more like a weekly [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5158864 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 22:12:52 +0100 5158864 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139733&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbook-review-food-truths-food-lies%2F2011.08.18 Food Truths, Food Lies, written by family physician Eric Marcotte, M.D., may be the most refreshingly evidence-based diet book of the decade. You will not find a single mention of super-foods, magical berries, or supplement “must-haves” in the entire book. What you will find is the cold, hard truth about why many Americans are overweight, and what it takes to become a healthy eater. Marcotte writes for the average American – his simple language, matter-of-fact tone, and regular reminders of what the reader has learned, make for a quick and memorable read.  Although it’s clear that Marcotte has carefully distilled his dietary advice from the scientific literature, he refrains from burdening the reader with too many footnotes and references. Instead, he has created ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139733 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:00:45 +0100 5139733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139644&cid=t_158962_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_158962_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=5107517&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fanonymous-blogger-reviews-the-lack-of-evidence-for-robotic-surgery%2F2011.08.08 The surgeon who blogs as Skeptical Scalpel writes that he (she?) is unable to contain him(her)self any longer and then lunges into a review of evidence (or lack thereof) for robotic surgery. You may disagree with Skeptical Scalpel’s decision to be anonymous, but he/she explains: “I’ve been a surgeon for almost 40 years and a surgical department chairman for over 23 of those years. During much of that time, conforming to the norms, rules and regulations of government agencies, accrediting bodies, hospitals, societies, and social convention was necessary for survival. I was always somewhat outspoken but in a controlled way most of the time. I now have a purely clinical surgery practice with no meetings, site visits or administrative hassles. I am free to speak my mind about... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107517 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:00:07 +0100 5107517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069505&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fwhats-wrong-with-performance-measures.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069505 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:12:00 +0100 5069505 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062269&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Ftrends-in-elective-pci-post-courage.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062269 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:59:00 +0100 5062269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5036238&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F1LTHl_vklng%2F Great news LITFLers, Keeping Up with Emergency Medicine is back! Once again, you can stay up to date with the literature in 10 minutes a week, for free! (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5036238 Sun, 17 Jul 2011 03:37:52 +0100 5036238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028220&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmeta-analyses-and-a-capricious-drug-approval-process-the-actos-and-avandia-stories%2F2011.07.13 Both Germany and France have now suspended the marketing of Actos (pioglitazone) due to concerns of a link between Actos and bladder cancer. Though we have known about bladder cancer concerns for some time, these recent concerns about the bladder cancer link stem from a recent report analyzing the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS), which found that 93 cases of cancer were recorded between 2004 and 2009 in patients treated with antidiabetic drugs, of which 31 patients were treated with pioglitazone, representing a statistically significant increased risk of bladder cancer (ROR 4.30, 95% confidence interval, 2.82-6.52; P less than 0.0001). Interestingly, the FDA announced that it was going to look into the link between Actos and bladder cancer only a few days before it made i... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028220 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:00:00 +0100 5028220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952744&cid=t_158962_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F20%2Fhot-topic-does-soy-relieve-hot-flashes%2F The theme of the Upcoming Grand Rounds held at June 21th (1st day of the Summer) at Shrink Rap is “hot”. A bit far-fetched, but aah you know….shrinks“. Of course they hope  assume  that we will express Weiner-like exhibitionism at our blogs. Or go into spicy details of hot sexpectations or other Penis Friday NCBI-ROFL posts. But no, not me, [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952744 Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:37:49 +0100 4952744 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934240&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fconfusing-cookie-cutter-medicine-with.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934240 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:12:00 +0100 4934240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934401&cid=t_158962_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F06%2Findian-doctors-learning-and-cme.html In reality, all learning is self-learning. We talk about teaching doctors to help them keep uptodate, but in reality, no one can teach anyone else - it's only the student who can learn ! A good teacher will provide as many avenues and opportunities as possible, so that students can learn for themselves.Adult learners are a different breed - and this is especially true for doctors, who are highly qualified and very busy professionals, with major time constraints.Not only is it hard for them to take time out of their busy schedules to learn, it's even more important for us to ensure that whatever techniques we use to teach doctors, these are proven to be effective in helping doctors to improve their knowledgebase.Unfortunately, lectures and presentations at medical conferences are very ineff... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934401 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 03:25:00 +0100 4934401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921435&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FjkJtnC7xuoA%2F LITFL reviews the June edition of Emergency Medicine Practice on Traumatic Hand Injuries. Are you ready for the Top 10 Review Questions? (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921435 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:29:16 +0100 4921435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911493&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FIJ5pagkDJTU%2F We recently featured a video on what could turn out to be the emergency medicine/ critical care 'Trial of the Year'... That's right, the FEAST Trial: (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911493 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:00:18 +0100 4911493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893592&cid=t_158962_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fbetter-way-of-making-sure-doctors-learn.html If conferences are such a poor way of teaching doctors, then what can the profession do to ensure that doctors remain updated ? Is it possible to trust that all doctors are responsible professionals who will take the time and trouble to educate themselves on an ongoing continual basis ? Sadly, no. While most doctors are conscientious and will make a concerted effort to learn, not all will do so .So what's a better option which will ensure that doctors learn reliable, updated, accurate evidence based medicine, without wasting time and money ?The answer is surprisingly simple ! In medical college, doctors are used to memorising vast amounts of information from their medical textbooks, so that they can pass their examinations , qualify and start practise. Unfortunately, most of what they lear... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893592 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:13:00 +0100 4893592 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893459&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F4KSMp8AaGAU%2F A surprising FEAST: "Fluid boluses significantly increased 48-hour mortality in critically ill children with impaired perfusion in... resource-limited settings in Africa." (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893459 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 09:23:02 +0100 4893459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852854&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpress-release-contains-ridiculous-health-claim-of-the-week%2F2011.05.23 Every once in a while, a press release comes along that’s worth mocking publically. Here’s one of them. In honor of National Mental Health Month, one PR flack pitched Philip Stein watches. In the flack’s words: “The highlighted element of the watch is the brand’s exclusive wellness technology that helps wearers improve sleep and reduce stress. The watch is embedded with a metal disk that emits natural frequencies into the body wearer and in turn, affects the wearer’s energy field. It’s called ‘Natural Frequency Technology’ and is a new patented technology studies suggest help to improve sleep quality and reduces stress.” Really. That’s what the flack said. Right off the bat, he’s gone from mental health issues to sleep... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852854 Mon, 23 May 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4852854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852823&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F2011%2F05%2Fwe-should-so-blatantly-do-more-randomised-trials-on-policy%2F Ben Goldacre, The Guardian, Saturday 14 May 2011 Politicians are ignorant about trials, and they’re weird about evidence. It doesn’t need to be this way. In international development work, resources are tight, and people know that good intentions aren’t enough: in fact, good intentions can sometimes do harm. We need to know what works. In [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852823 Mon, 23 May 2011 12:41:38 +0100 4852823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4848012&cid=t_158962_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F05%2Flost-in-health-information-maze.html 50 years ago, the major problem was that patients had too little information. All of this was locked up in medical books and journals, and this information asymmetry meant that the patient was often forced to put the doctor on a pedestal, because he had all the knowledge. Patients felt helpless because they did not know enough.Today, there's been a sea change, and patients still feel helpless - but this is because they have access to too much information - most of which is wrong, inaccurate or outdated ! Thanks to google, it's become very easy for patients to unearth thousands of pages of information on any topic - but because this information is badly organised and is not put in context, patients find it easy to get lost.It's very common to find two 2 different websites saying diametrical... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848012 Fri, 20 May 2011 03:21:00 +0100 4848012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841478&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ffrom-spain-drug-prescription-habits-are-often-emotionally-driven%2F2011.05.19 I recently stumbled upon a very interesting editorial opinion in the ‘European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology’: ‘The use of drugs is not as rational as we believe…but it can’t be! The emotional roots of prescribing’, authored by Albert Figueras, from Fundació Institut Català de Farmacologia (Catalonia Institute of Pharmacology Foundation at Vall d’Hebron Hospital, in Barcelona). Since more than 40 years ago when Archie Cochrane said that “there must be solid scientific evidence behind any statement, decision and prescription made by medical staff”, and all the way until today’s WHO promotion of rational medicine utilization, both developing and industrialised countries have been striving to increase sound knowledge about prescription and thus spread the kind of rati... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841478 Thu, 19 May 2011 13:00:18 +0100 4841478 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4828886&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcutting-healthcare-costs-in-spain-evidence-based-disinvestment%2F2011.05.16 In an economic downturn, two classic cost-reducing solutions come to mind in the healthcare services industry: reduce offerings (give fewer services)  or control demand (limit access to healthcare or increase copayments). There are many more but these two are the most frequently used. Actually, budget cuts in the Spanish region of Catalonia fit in the first type: they will need fewer resources (both human and material) because their services offered will shrink. It’s always controversial to cut healthcare services in Spain. Even talking about it leads to accusations of promoting total privatization, attacking the Welfare State and so on. But there is another way to cut services, drugs or technologies. It’s what Dr. Iñaki Gutierrez-Ibarluzea called ‘Evidenced-based disinvestment’ ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4828886 Mon, 16 May 2011 11:00:10 +0100 4828886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813390&cid=t_158962_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fhealthwise-patient-education-solution.html The Healthwise Patient Education Solution provides evidence-based patient instructions for virtually any moment in care. The meaningful health content includes instructions on how to prepare for upcoming procedures, after-care instructions, drug leaflets, and guidelines for when to call for help. And the patient instructions include “Go to Web” codes that directly link patients to more health information and interactive decision aids in the Healthwise® Knowledgebase, an online health encyclopedia. The Patient Information Education Trust is the Indian distributor for Healthwise ! (Source: The Patient's Doctor) The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813390 Wed, 11 May 2011 12:14:00 +0100 4813390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789289&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fpatient-centered-conversations-about.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789289 Thu, 05 May 2011 10:54:00 +0100 4789289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4744817&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fphysicians-against-dr-ozs-misinformation-a-battle-they-cannot-win%2F2011.04.23 A handful of physicians are collaborating to take Mehmet Oz, MD, to task on what they’re calling outlandish claims and bad medical advice. Their suggestion is to no longer pay attention to that man behind the curtain. David H. Gorski, MD, PhD, at the blog Science-Based Medicine went after Dr. Oz for hosting segments about faith healing and consulting psychics. Dr. Gorski pulls no punches, saying, “Dr. Oz has in some ways imitated Oprah and in some ways gone her one better (one worse, really) in promoting the Oprah-fication of medicine. And this season has been a particularly bad one for science-based medicine on The Dr. Oz Show.” (Dr. Mehmet Oz may be using his “Degree in Thinkology” to come up with some of his show topics.) Val Jones, MD, the woman behind the... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4744817 Sat, 23 Apr 2011 22:00:00 +0100 4744817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4714750&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FQiqApWaeJFc%2F It's April 2011 and time for @EBMedicineʼs Emergency Medicine Practice. This month the focus on the hottest of hot topics, therapeutic hypothermia. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4714750 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:07:15 +0100 4714750 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709468&cid=t_158962_165_f&fid=36767&url=http%3A%2F%2Fabctherapeutics.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fsensory-integration-research-who-is-it.html This article is another factor analysis study that has to be considered in the context of a number of other studies including Ayres (1989) original cluster and factor analyses that went into SIPT standardization, Mulligan's 1998 and 2000 cluster and factor analyses, and the critically appraised topic written by Davies and Tucker (2008). I'm not sure how many street level practitioners read cluster and factor analysis studies but I don't think that most people put this on top of their reading list. I think this is because we don't spend a lot of time educating practitioners on these methods and what they mean. I personally think that these statistical models are interesting but I also understand that they have a serious fundamental flaw in that they are based on heuristic models of interpre... ABC Therapeutics Occupational Therapy Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709468 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 03:46:00 +0100 4709468 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4670109&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoes-your-doctor-trust-you%2F2011.04.02 Members of the  American public are frequently surveyed about their trust in various professionals.  Doctors and nurses usually wind up near the top of the list, especially when compared to lawyers, hairdressers and politicians.  Trust in professionals is important to us: they possess expertise we lack but need, to solve problems ranging from the serious (illness) to the relatively trivial (appearance). How much professionals trust us seems irrelevant: our reciprocity is expressed in the form of payment for services rendered or promised, our recommendations to friends and families and repeat appearances. So I was surprised to read an article in the Annals of Family Medicine describing a new scale to measure doctors’ trust in their patients.  This scale, based on input from focus grou... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4670109 Sat, 02 Apr 2011 18:00:08 +0100 4670109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653461&cid=t_158962_125_f&fid=37825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbibbynews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F29%2Fcelebrate-the-root-canal%2F   What was the dentist doing in Panama? …Looking for the Root Canal  Root Canal Awareness Week The American Association of Endodontists has designated  March 27-April 2 as Root Canal Awareness Week. This event is a national effort to raise awareness of endodontists and to teach the public that root canals should not be [...] (Source: Bibby Library News and Tips) Bibby Library News and Tips blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653461 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:07:56 +0100 4653461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4631485&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fare-urologists-being-seduced-by-robots%2F2011.03.24 Maggie Mahar’s Health Beat blog tipped me off about a Bloomberg opinion piece by an Oregon urologist that begins by stating: “The decision to opt for medical care that relies on the most costly technology is often based on blind faith that newer, elaborate and expensive must be better.” Later, he focuses specifically on robotic surgery devices: “They are costly and require significant re-training for surgeons. Yet consumers hungrily seek out surgeons versed in their use. If a surgeon recommends an older, less expensive technology, many patients will shop for a surgeon willing to use the newest and costliest devices, even if the added benefits are unproven and the risks may be greater. Hospitals do nothing to discourage this and engage in the kind of tawdry marketing... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4631485 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:00:59 +0100 4631485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4626835&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FL1d65XzpRt4%2F Musings on the point of equipoise for investigating and discharging chest pain patients in light of a new paper in the Lancet describing a rapid rule-out protocol for acute coronary syndromes (the ASPECT trial). (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4626835 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:55:13 +0100 4626835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4600535&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fenough-about-physician-empathy%2F2011.03.16 Is anyone else tired of hearing about how important empathy is in the doctor-patient relationship? Every other day it seems a new study is talking about the therapeutic value of empathy. Enough already! It’s not that I don’t believe that empathy is important — I do. I also believe the data that links physician empathy with improved patient outcomes, increased satisfaction, and better patient experiences. A recent study released in Academic Medicine reported that “patients of physicians with high empathy scores were significantly more likely to have good control over their blood sugar as well as cholesterol, while the inverse was true for patients of physicians with low scores.” Findings from this study by Hojat, et al. are consistent with a 2009 study by Rakel, et al. which f... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4600535 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:00:36 +0100 4600535 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636509&cid=t_158962_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fproviding-feedback-to-doctors-to-help.html What makes a good doctor good is the fact that he has good clinical judgment. This is a term which is hard to define, but basically a good doctor is one has seen and treated and learned from lots of patients, each of whom adds to his knowledgebase and clinical wisdom. As the saying goes, "Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment."However, the mere passage of time does not provide good judgment . After all, 20 years of being a doctor could simply mean 20 years of doing the wrong thing ! It's important that doctors learn from their experience - and the only way they can do so is by tracking the outcomes of the patients they treat.Unfortunately, this rarely happens in real life ! Let's take 2 patients whom a family physician treats for abdominal pain. One gets b... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636509 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 04:42:00 +0100 4636509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592405&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FVkCaN6UfHlU%2F March 2011 sees @EBMedicineʼs Emergency Medicine Practice examine the evidence surrounding the use of Ultrasound in the Emergency Department. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592405 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:12 +0100 4592405 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592400&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcoffee-and-stroke-another-study-the-media-got-wrong%2F2011.03.14 Here we go again. Headlines across America blaring lines like, “Coffee may reduce stroke risk.” It was a big study, but an observational study. Not a trial. Not an experiment. And, as we say so many times on this website that you could almost join along with the chorus, observational studies have inherent limitations that should always be mentioned in stories. They can’t prove cause and effect. They can show a strong statistical association, but they can’t prove cause and effect. So you can’t prove benefit or risk reduction. And stories should say that. USA Today, for example, did not explain that in its story. Nor did it include any of the limitations that were included in, for example, a HealthDay story, which stated: “The problem with this type of stu... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592400 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:00:45 +0100 4592400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570504&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fnew-venue-from-surprising-source-to.html A new blog, entitled the Medical Professionalism Blog, signed on last week with a post emphasizing some themes that should be familiar to Health Care Renewal readers:There is an increasing focus on the sustainability of the U.S. health care system based on current cost trends. Predictions are for the health care system to consume 19% of the GDP by 2019. How did we get here?Some point to the overuse and misuse of health care services, inefficiencies and lack of care coordination. Others blame the lack of clinical evidence, primary care workforce and the external threats to good decision-making, such as a toxic payment system and the influence of pharmaceutical and device companies.While there are many different ideas about what got us here and what should be done, there is wide co... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570504 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:03:00 +0100 4570504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560273&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fibuprofen-parkinsons-study-few-news-organizations-report-on-it-accurately%2F2011.03.08 We’re delighted to see that USA Today, Reuters, and WebMD were among the news organizations that included what an editorial writer said about an observational study linking ibuprofen use with fewer cases of Parkinson’s disease. All three news organizations used some version of what editorial writer Dr. James Bower of the Mayo Clinic wrote or said: “Whenever in epidemiology you find an association, that does not mean causation.” “An association does not prove causation.” “There could be other explanations for the ibuprofen-Parkinson’s connection.” Kudos to those news organizations. And some praise goes to the journal Neurology for publishing Dr. Bower’s editorial to accompany the study. His piece is entitled, “Is the answer... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560273 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:00:43 +0100 4560273 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560283&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2Fx2HOtSmjTvQ%2F Jelinek and Brown announce that Emergency Medicine Australasia is taking a stand against drug company advertising. The LITFL team applauds! (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560283 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:00:54 +0100 4560283 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4552149&cid=t_158962_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Fyouth-alcohol-use-disorders%2F Diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence in youthsDescriptionThis clinical guideline offers evidence-based advice on the diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence in adults and in young people aged 10–17 years.This is one of three pieces of UK NICE guidance addressing alcohol-related problems and should be read along with:Alcohol-use disorders: preventing the development of hazardous and harmful drinking. NICE public health guidance 24 (2010) – public health guidance on the price, advertising and availability of alcohol, how best to detect alcohol misuse in and outside primary care, and brief interventions to manage it in these settings.Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis and clinical management of alcohol-re... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4552149 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 17:18:00 +0100 4552149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4549765&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fnewspeak-of-comparative-effectiveness.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4549765 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 02:30:00 +0100 4549765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4540565&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhy-science-should-override-celebrity%2F2011.03.02 Dr. Barron Lerner has written a book about breast cancer: “The Breast Cancer Wars: Hope, Fear, and the Pursuit of a Cure in Twentieth-Century America.” And he’s written a book about celebrity patients: “When Illness Goes Public: Celebrity Patients and How We Look at Medicine.” He wed the two topics in a blog post on the New York Times health blog entitled “Suzanne Somers, Cancer Expert.” Excerpts: “Earlier this week, NBC’s “Dateline” devoted an entire hour on Sunday evening to allow the actress Suzanne Somers to express her rather unconventional beliefs about cancer. It is not the first time a major media outlet has given air time to Ms. Somers, whose journey into the medical realm has been featured on a variety of news prog... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4540565 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:00:58 +0100 4540565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4517169&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbook-review-tabloid-medicine-how-the-internet-is-being-used-to-hijack-medical-science-for-fear-and-profit%2F2011.02.24 This was the Guest Blog at Scientific American on February 23rd, 2011.  In his new book, “Tabloid Medicine: How The Internet Is Being Used to Hijack Medical Science for Fear and Profit,” Robert Goldberg, PhD, explains why the Internet is a double-edged sword when it comes to health information. On the one hand, the Web can empower people with quality medical information that can help them make informed decisions. On the other hand, the Web is an unfiltered breeding ground for urban legends, fear-mongering and snake oil salesmen. Goldberg uses case studies to expose the sinister side of health misinformation. Perhaps the most compelling example of a medical “manufactroversy” (defined as a manufactured controversy that is motivated by profit or extreme ideology to in... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4517169 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:00:01 +0100 4517169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4501584&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnarrative-medicine-healing-through-storytelling%2F2011.02.21 More in the evolving meme of narrative medicine: Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (my alma mater) have found that for a select population of individuals, listening to personal narratives helps control blood pressure. While the power of stories is old news, the connection to clinical outcomes is what’s newsworthy here. Read Dr. Pauline Chen’s nice piece in the New York Times. The implications for ongoing work in this area are mind boggling. The Annals of Internal Medicine study authors sum it up nicely: Emerging evidence suggests that storytelling, or narrative communication, may offer a unique opportunity to promote evidence-based choices in a culturally appropriate context.  Stories can help listeners make meaning of their lives, and listeners may be in... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4501584 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:00:32 +0100 4501584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477767&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FNLPyLS0cFnE%2F The UCEM has today received leaked information that Wakefield is set to open his own research institute to collect evidence that supports his assumptions. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477767 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 02:30:18 +0100 4477767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4464604&cid=t_158962_125_f&fid=37825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbibbynews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F11%2Fhave-you-seen-these-recent-systematic-reviews-in-orthodontics%2F Effectiveness of orthodontic treatment with functional appliances on mandibular growth in the short term. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2011 Jan;139(1):24-36.Marsico E, Gatto E, Burrascano M, Matarese G, Cordasco G. INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze the current literature for the best evidence (randomized clinical trials) about the efficacy of functional appliances [...] (Source: Bibby Library News and Tips) Bibby Library News and Tips blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4464604 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:54:38 +0100 4464604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450314&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fwheels-of-translation-of-evidence-into.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450314 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 12:34:00 +0100 4450314 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4441976&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FuA4eO-Nwjls%2F Eight Q-and-As to separate the (wo)men from the amoebae on EBmedicine's Feb 2011 review: An Evidence-Based Review Of Pediatric Pneumonia In The ED. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4441976 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 00:00:53 +0100 4441976 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4436753&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FgkL_aWmCu_Y%2F 10 Q-and-As to test your knowledge on the key learning points covered in T@EBMedicine's Feb 2001 review: Diagnosis And Management Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning In The Emergency Department. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4436753 Sat, 05 Feb 2011 00:00:09 +0100 4436753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4429024&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F7jp7GibsULo%2F A Q-and-A review of EBMedicine's article titled: Pediatric Sedation In The Emergency Department Procedural Sedation In The Emergency Department (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4429024 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:00:29 +0100 4429024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4429033&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fhow-many-patients-with-incident-heart.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4429033 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:04:00 +0100 4429033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4419162&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fmore-evidence-regarding-impact-of.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4419162 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:07:00 +0100 4419162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4414525&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FxAB9KCkFLYw%2F It’s time for a look at the latest review from EBMedicine: An Evidence-Based Approach to Managing the Anticoagulated Patient in the ED. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4414525 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 00:00:41 +0100 4414525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394476&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fis-deviation-from-practice-guidelines.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394476 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:33:00 +0100 4394476 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394482&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fhcap-guideline-adherence-associated.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394482 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:55:00 +0100 4394482 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4389249&cid=t_158962_125_f&fid=36046&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdentistrylibrary.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fsearch-pubmed-on-your-smartphone-and.html Click on this link to Pubmed for Handhelds. When it opens in your browser save it to your home sceen or to your bookmarks. It works fine on the iPhone and iPad. I didn't test it on androids or Blackberry but it should work on those platforms too. You can do a PICO search or a natural language search also knowns as google type search, or a Medline/PubMed search. It automatically invokes the familiar Unikey login screen so even if you are not connected via the Usyd wireless network you would still be able to get to the fulltext. Subscribe in a reader (Source: DentistryLibrary@Sydney) DentistryLibrary@Sydney blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4389249 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 22:50:00 +0100 4389249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4382766&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhow-doctors-feel-about-patients-who-google-their-symptoms%2F2011.01.21 Many doctors roll their eyes whenever patients bring in a stack of research they printed out, stemming from a Google search of their symptoms. A piece by Dr. Zachary Meisel on TIME.com describes a familiar scenario: The medical intern started her presentation with an eye roll. “The patient in Room 3 had some blood in the toilet bowl this morning and is here with a pile of Internet printouts listing all the crazy things she thinks she might have.” The intern continued, “I think she has a hemorrhoid.” “Another case of cyberchondria,” added the nurse behind me. It’s time to stop debating whether patients should research their own symptoms. It’s happening already, and the medical profession would be better served to handle this new reality. According to the Pew Internet and ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4382766 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:00:37 +0100 4382766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4382768&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FoYO9zFFv5OQ%2F Love is dangerous. If you don't believe me, read on to learn about all the ways amorous acts can threaten life, limb and... other body parts. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4382768 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 05:00:16 +0100 4382768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4377589&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fwhats-level-of-evidence-behind-idsa.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4377589 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 11:29:00 +0100 4377589 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4361031&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fwhy-professions-adherence-to-evidence.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4361031 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:48:00 +0100 4361031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4361035&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fnon-guideline-based-icd-implantation.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4361035 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 13:11:00 +0100 4361035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4355913&cid=t_158962_165_f&fid=36767&url=http%3A%2F%2Fabctherapeutics.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fnew-study-on-si-effectiveness-but.html Just a quick couple thoughts as I got a few emails asking me to comment on an article in the new AJOT. The study people are interested in is Effectiveness of sensory integration interventions in children with autism spectrum disorders: A pilot study. (linked for those of you who have access). The study found that both intervention groups demonstrated significant improvements toward goals on the Goal Attainment Scale, but the SI group demonstrated more significant improvement than the FM group. Also, the SI group displayed significantly fewer autistic mannerisms than the FM group as measured by a sub test of the Social Responsiveness Scale.One of the nicest features of this study is that the researchers completed a series of fidelity measures on the interventions. This is a big step forward... ABC Therapeutics Occupational Therapy Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4355913 Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:30:00 +0100 4355913 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4337985&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fjama-commentary-proposes-adding-emotion.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4337985 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 04:33:00 +0100 4337985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4331039&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fdecline-effect.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4331039 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:24:00 +0100 4331039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318334&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-autism-vaccine-fraud-the-difference-one-journalist-can-make%2F2011.01.06 The BMJ’s statement this week that the 1998 article by Andrew Wakefield and 12 others “linking MMR vaccine and autism was fraudulent” demonstrates what a difference one journalist can make. Journalist Brian Deer played a key role in uncovering and dismantling the Wakefield story. (Of course, others recently have said something similar about The Daily Show comedian Jon Stewart’s role in focusing on the health problems of 9/11 first responders.) CNN’s Anderson Cooper had a segment worth watching, including a new interview Cooper conducted with Wakefield via Skype: Unfortunately, journalism played a key role in promoting Wakefield’s claims. The “Respectful Insolence” blog referred to one journalist as “CBS’ resident anti-vaccine pro... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318334 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:00:16 +0100 4318334 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318337&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FbYYKshUIGYU%2F Almost immediately after finishing ‘Time to publish then filter?’ – a post that highlighted a recent editorial in the BMJ outlining the need for an effective system of post-publication peer review — I came across this in the Annals of Emergency Medicine: Millard WB. The Wisdom of Crowds, the Madness of Crowds: Rethinking Peer Review [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318337 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:00:17 +0100 4318337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318339&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F0tiVhrUcz-0%2F An editorial in the BMJ by Schriger and Altman highlights the failings of the peer review process and the need for effective post-publication peer review. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318339 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 04:40:30 +0100 4318339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309617&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FMLc9Bgh1ERU%2F A look at Cliff Reid's fantastic website: ResusME - Resuscitation Medicine Education. A great way to keep up with cutting edge research and developments in life-saving medicine. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309617 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:00:51 +0100 4309617 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309619&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FhIQmwIldM9A%2F A New Year has begun, no doubt many resolutions have been made. Many have probably already been broken! A good place to turn to for some tips on Healthy Living is the Bandolier website. Here are Bandolier's 10 tips on healthy living. What's missing and what needs to be changed? (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309619 Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4309619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4302852&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fblogscan-wandering-in-wilderness.html On the 1 Boring Old Man blog, "Mickey," the anonymous blogger, a retired academic psychiatrist, posted about how he figured out the extent that health care dysfunction affected psychiatry while wandering the "wildnerness" outside of academic psychiatry.  He proposed that what needs to die is "the shameful mockery many have made of their own rallying cry - 'evidence based medicine'…"  Dr Wally Smith would have called it pseudo-evidence based medicine.   (And thanks for the mention of Health Care Renewal.) (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4302852 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 21:06:00 +0100 4302852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4298622&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbecoming-a-savvy-healthcare-consumer-a-difficult-science%2F2010.12.29 Dr. Kent Bottles is in the midst of a very thoughtful multi-part blog post under the heading, “The Difficult Science Behind Becoming a Savvy Healthcare Consumer.” Part I examined “the limitations of science in helping us make wise choices and decisions about our health.” Part II explores “how we all have to change if we are to live wisely in a time of rapid transformation of the American healthcare system that everyone agrees needs to decrease per-capita cost and increase quality.” Both parts so far have addressed important issues about news media coverage of healthcare. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Gary Schwitzer's HealthNewsReview Blog* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4298622 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 18:00:30 +0100 4298622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294641&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FiBl6-3Z31ZE%2F Wouldn't it be great if there was a list of the 100 most important papers published in the emergency medicine literature... with article summaries provided. Now, that's an idea... (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294641 Tue, 28 Dec 2010 00:00:25 +0100 4294641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265798&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Finterview-with-david-sackett-one-of-ebm.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265798 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:26:00 +0100 4265798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265802&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Febms-blind-spot.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265802 Thu, 16 Dec 2010 21:39:00 +0100 4265802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265806&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fwhither-evidence-based-medicine.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265806 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:44:00 +0100 4265806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4258865&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhrt-no-wonder-women-are-confused%2F2010.12.14 Confused about hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? I can’t imagine why… *This blog post was originally published at tbtam* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4258865 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:00:57 +0100 4258865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249062&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FbEUO1LImFsk%2F A question-and-answer review of 'An Evidence-Based Review Of Pediatric Anaphylaxis' from EBMedicine's Pediatric Emergency Medicine Practice. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249062 Sat, 11 Dec 2010 00:00:01 +0100 4249062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225343&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fformulating-clinical-questions-and.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225343 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:03:00 +0100 4225343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214111&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmedical-journals-do-peer-reviewers-get-worse-with-experience%2F2010.11.29 Interesting post by the Retraction Watch blog, pointing to an interesting paper published last week in the Annals of Emergency Medicine. An excerpt from the blog post: Over 14 years, 84 editors at the journal rated close to 15,000 reviews by about 1,500 reviewers. Highlights of their findings: …92% of peer reviewers deteriorated during 14 years of study in the quality and usefulness of their reviews (as judged by editors at the time of decision), at rates unrelated to the length of their service (but moderately correlated with their mean quality score, with better-than average reviewers decreasing at about half the rate of those below average). Only 8% improved, and those by very small amount. How bad did they get? The reviewers were rated on a scale of 1 to 5 in which a change of ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214111 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:00:30 +0100 4214111 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4207267&cid=t_158962_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2F29%2Fnursing-times-2010-vol-106-no-44%2F This article outlines the key challenges in sharing and disseminating research findings within NHS organisations. Staff working in joint posts between university and clinical settings are in a unique position to address these challenges. They should encourage the publication of articles, presentations and implementation of recommendations that are locally relevant. An action research approach is suggested to boost the likelihood of findings being implemented and raising awareness of research to clinical staff. Contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Journals Tagged: Action Research, Evidence Based Practice, Research Dissemination (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4207267 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 08:47:33 +0100 4207267 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197075&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FgPdkXrKWmIg%2F SMART EM is part of a network of communication tools designed to offer unbiased translation and summaries of medical evidence mainly pertaining to emergency medicine. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197075 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 10:07:44 +0100 4197075 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197068&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhow-low-can-oprah-winfrey-go-promoting-faith-healer-john-of-god-to-the-masses%2F2010.11.23 Several of the bloggers on Science-Based Medicine have been — shall we say? — rather critical of Oprah Winfrey. The reason, of course, is quite obvious. Oprah is so famous that if you mention her first name nearly everyone will know exactly of whom you speak. For the last quarter century, Oprah’s daytime TV talk show has been a ratings juggernaut, leading to the building of a media behemoth and making her one of the richest and most famous women in the world. Unfortunately, part of Oprah’s equation for success has involved the promotion of quackery and New Age woo, so much so that last year I lamented about the Oprah-fication of medicine, which scored me a writing gig in the Toronto Star. Whether it be promoting bio-identical hormones, The Secret (complete with a testimonial ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197068 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:00:00 +0100 4197068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197071&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-nnt-quick-summaries-of-evidence-based-medicine%2F2010.11.23 I think I blogged this before, but didn’t describe it much. Allow me to rectify that mistake. The NNT.com (“Number Needed To Treat”) is an ever-expanding website which boils down high-quality reviews of medications and interventions and presents its recommendations in a much more approachable green-yellow-red “warning triangle” format rather than some ratio. While I won’t use this as a single source to change my practice, I’m going to have to do some more research on some of the [questionables] of our age (i.e. Octreotide for variceal bleeding, PPI infusions for upper GI bleeding, etc.) — just two of the studies that fly in the face of current practice. An aside: While inhaled corticosteroids for asthma aren’t beneficial in the review, what it doesn�... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197071 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:00:56 +0100 4197071 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190161&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FqGH6TAC-eno%2F Dealing with this exponentially growing information resource can be challenging, especially as we are increasingly want to share our knowledge, and invite comment from our peers....enter Today I Learnt That (TILT) is the brainchild of Jon Brassey of TRIP Database and TRIP Answers fame. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190161 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 06:41:52 +0100 4190161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190150&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-rationing-of-healthcare%2F2010.11.22 Do you recall the severe rationing of food and water the Chilean miners had to endure to survive? The rationing was done to stretch their limited resources. I would argue the state of Arizona’s new policy to not cover organ transplants for patients on Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) or their version of Medicaid is a similar form of rationing. AHCCCS, as many Medicaid programs, is underfunded. They are trying to operate on a limited budget. Something has to give. Sadly in this case, many (NPR reports 98) had already been granted approval for organ transplants which they may not receive. Francisco Felix, 32, who due to hepatitis-C needs a liver transplant, is reported to have made it to the operating room, prepped and ready for his life-saving liver transplant when d... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190150 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:00:00 +0100 4190150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190162&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FyUfiO-wWAuU%2F Community Acquired Pneumonia EBM Review (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190162 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 02:00:00 +0100 4190162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190163&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FYWCGzBtegIM%2F Spontaneous Pneumothorax in the Emergency Department an EBM Review (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190163 Sun, 21 Nov 2010 02:00:42 +0100 4190163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179326&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FgROxfIp6PKo%2F Evidence based review of acute severe asthma including clinical recognition and management (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179326 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 02:00:08 +0100 4179326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175735&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fevidence-based-medicine-science-based.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175735 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:29:00 +0100 4175735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175698&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FWDCNx39-hnc%2F EBM review of Oesophagogastric Varices assessment and management in the emergency department (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175698 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 02:00:14 +0100 4175698 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4167957&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Flung-cancer-ct-scan-marketing-spreads-across-the-country%2F2010.11.15 Last week, after the National Lung Screening Trial results were released, David Sampson, American Cancer Society director of medical and scientific communications, wrote that “our greatest fear was that forces with an economic interest in the test would sidestep the scientific process and use the release of the data to start promoting CT scans. Frankly, even we are surprised how quickly that has happened.” And, yes, the marketing has even hit fly-over country in the Twin Cities, with this ad appearing in the Sunday Minneapolis Star Tribune in the “A” section: Of course, no where in the ad will you read about the potential harms of such scans, the false positive rate, what happens when you get a false positive (unnecessary followup testing and perhaps unnecessary t... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4167957 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:00:34 +0100 4167957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4164527&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F45wJy3zDE5Q%2F Upper GI Haemorrhage EBM Review. Commonest causes: peptic ulcer (35-50%); oesophagitis (20-30%); duodenitis/gastritis/erosions (10-20%); varices (5-12%); Mallory-Weiss tear (2-5%); tumour (2-5%); angiodysplasia (2-3%); aorto-enteric fistula (<1%). (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4164527 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 02:00:49 +0100 4164527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4164529&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FsMX6_NHNJvo%2F Acute Liver Failure in the Emergency Department an EBM Review (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4164529 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 02:00:18 +0100 4164529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4155236&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F4XPYG3zxKIE%2F Review of EBM for the assessment and management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in the emergency department (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4155236 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 02:00:41 +0100 4155236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4151800&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FgfGFsKuDWDU%2F Highlights and pearls on toxic alcohol ingestion from the EBMedicine article, "Toxic Alcohols: Not Always A Clear-Cut Diagnosis" (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4151800 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 05:50:28 +0100 4151800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4151792&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhen-doctors-are-paid-less-unnecessary-prescriptions-drop%2F2010.11.09 Take medical uncertainty. Add financial incentive to treat. Voila! Increased utilization. Now take away financial incentive to treat. Guess what you get? MedPageToday explains, in the case of hormone therapy for prostate cancer: Medicare accomplished what clinical guidelines and evidence-based medicine couldn’t: it reduced unnecessary use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer. Inappropriate use decreased by almost 30% from 2003 to 2005, following enactment of the Medicare Modernization Act, which lowered physician reimbursement for ADT. Appropriate use of ADT did not change during the same time period, according to an article in the Nov. 4 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. “Our findings suggest that reductions in reimbursement may influence the de... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4151792 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:00:48 +0100 4151792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4151802&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F_s6MkWxUzc4%2F EBM review of the assessment and management of meningitis and Meningococcaemia (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4151802 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 02:00:18 +0100 4151802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4142768&cid=t_158962_99_f&fid=35344&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzackarysholemberger.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fpointless-exam-can-be-just-as-bad-as.html Dr. Abraham Verghese, says the Times, is reviving the lost art of the physical exam. He cuts quite a figure on the wards, with his white coat, his stories, and his diagnostic maneuvers, reminding us of "the doctor who missed nothing and could swiftly diagnose a peculiar walk, sluggish thyroid or leaky heart valve using just keen eyes, practiced hands and a stethoscope." Here's where the definitions of art and science matter, though. The margin here is too narrow to contain a detailed discussion of where these two bugbears embrace and where they face off, fangs bared. The applicable stab of a definition in this case, I think, is this: in a science, we try and apply a community's rigorous professional definition to our individual classifications. In art, we try and apply our own individual c... Zackary Sholem Berger blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4142768 Mon, 08 Nov 2010 05:01:00 +0100 4142768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4142755&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FIzw9vme6a3Q%2F Evidence based review of venous thromboembolism, DVT and pulmonary embolism (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4142755 Mon, 08 Nov 2010 02:00:50 +0100 4142755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4139245&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F4PX06cQo3d4%2F Aortic Dissection in review: 3 cases per 100 000 people per year; up to 25% missed diagnosis ante-mortem. ‘Typical’ case is 60-80 years old, M>F 3:1, with hypertension. Overall in-hospital mortality 27%. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4139245 Sat, 06 Nov 2010 02:00:12 +0100 4139245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4139188&cid=t_158962_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2F05%2Fresponse-to-the-treasury-committee-inquiry-on-the-spending-review-to-inform-treasury-committee%25e2%2580%2599s-inquiry-on-decision-making-and-other-aspects-of-the-recent-spending-review%2F Title: Response to the Treasury Committee Inquiry on the Spending Review: To inform Treasury Committee’s inquiry on decision-making and other aspects of the recent Spending Review Skinny: Response to the Treasury Committee’s call for evidence on the spending review. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is committed to informing changes in policy and practice based on evidence from research, from practical demonstration work and from the lives of people directly affected by social issues and problems. The response to the Treasury Committee’s inquiry on the spending review registers their concern that the spending review was not sufficiently based on available evidence about poverty and disadvantage in the UK. Publisher: Joseph Rowntree Foundation Size of Publication: 7 Published: 04/11/201... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4139188 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:57:23 +0100 4139188 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133719&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2Fr4rSIn5CGpo%2F Acute heart failure syndrome (AHFS) spectrum can be divided into 5 groups as regards therapeutic management (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133719 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 02:00:32 +0100 4133719 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4134023&cid=t_158962_125_f&fid=37825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbibbynews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2F03%2F5-things-you-should-do-right-now-with-your-iphone-or-itouch%2F 5 things you should do right now with your iPhone or iTouch! 1. Get the mobile version of the Medical Center Libraries website – In Safari, search for Miner Library – our mobile page will load. To save to your home screen, locate the + sign on the bottom of the screen and select “Add [...] (Source: Bibby Library News and Tips) Bibby Library News and Tips blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4134023 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:15:16 +0100 4134023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133721&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FiHTLu6zqsHk%2F Migraine without aura (‘common’ migraine). 66-75% of migraineurs; must have had at least five attacks. Attacks lasting 4-72 hours untreated. At least 2 of headache characteristics: unilateral, pulsating or throbbing, moderate to severe, aggravated by movement. At least 1 associated symptom during headache: nausea and/or vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133721 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 09:00:49 +0100 4133721 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4125013&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FVw7FbQmplsc%2F EBM review of Chest Pain Adjunctive Therapies including adjunctive anticoagulant therapy, adjunctive anti-thrombotic therapy and other therapeutic agents (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4125013 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:43:24 +0100 4125013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4125014&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F8OQ_fLkq61Q%2F including early Management of STEMI or NSTEACS, reperfusion strategies, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and thrombolysis (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4125014 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:41:19 +0100 4125014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4125015&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2Fgj2Lssai_Kw%2F Chest Pain and risk stratification - EBM Review. Coronary heart disease single largest cause of death (16% or 27,000) in 2007 in Australia, but down from 22% in 1998. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4125015 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:40:25 +0100 4125015 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4121862&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FpsB0ayXygsc%2F Status Epilepticus: Synonyms: overt, geneneralised tonic-clinic, major motor SE. Defined as a seizure lasting over 5 mins, or two or more seizures without recovery in between. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4121862 Sun, 31 Oct 2010 02:00:27 +0100 4121862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4118942&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F3jRtI6VX55k%2F Pedagogical disambiguation: Emergency Medicine Lecture Notes and Evidence Based emergency medicine principles from Professor A.F.T Brown and Life in the Fast Lane team. Latest Guidelines International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). 2010 International Consensus on CPR and ECC Science with Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR). Circulation 2010; 122 (Suppl 2):S250-S581. (12 papers) European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4118942 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:23:58 +0100 4118942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4118943&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FMzvfm9IcvgU%2F Prof Anthony F T Brown knuckles down and gets to grips with the evidence surrounding assessment and management in acute medicine for the annual FRACP lecture series. Prof Brown aims to contextualize the most pertinent evidence based information pertaining to acute medical emergencies in summative statements. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4118943 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:00:42 +0100 4118943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086290&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fdrug-company-influence-and-prescribing.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4086290 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:43:00 +0100 4086290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082342&cid=t_158962_165_f&fid=36767&url=http%3A%2F%2Fabctherapeutics.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fsoap-opera-in-ny-as-autism-insurance.html I received an interesting mass emailing from Autism Speaks today, which is an advocacy group that is currently supporting passage of the autism insurance bill in NY State. I paused because the email contained the following:"Please stay tuned over the coming hours. The health plans are still working hard to ensure a veto. We need to work together to let the Governor know that we expect him to provide principled leadership and sign S.7000B into law this week."I found this a little confusing because every other autism advocacy group that I know of in NY is opposing this bill, as are the NYS OT Association and the NYS Speech and Language Therapy Association. The concerns are that no other conditions require such a high standard for 'evidence based practice' as this bill and that this may be us... ABC Therapeutics Occupational Therapy Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082342 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 19:24:00 +0100 4082342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4077207&cid=t_158962_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F18%2Fproblems-with-disappearing-set-numbers-in-pubmeds-clinical-queries%2F In some upcoming posts I will address various problems related to the changing interfaces of bibliographic databases. We, librarians and end users, are overwhelmed by a flood of so-called upgrades, which often fail to bring the improvements that were promised….. or which go hand-in-hand with temporary glitches. Christina of Christina’s Lis Rant even made rundown of [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4077207 Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:06:25 +0100 4077207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074068&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Funscientific-medicine-what%25e2%2580%2599s-the-harm%2F2010.10.14 Any promoter of science-based medicine often faces the question: “What’s the harm?” What is the harm if people try treatment modalities that are not based upon good science, that are anecdotal, or provide only a placebo benefit? There are generally two premises to this question. The first is that most “alternative” placebo interventions are directly harmless. The second is that direct harm is the only type worth considering. Both of these premises are wrong. The pages of Science Based Medicine (SBM) are filled with accounts of direct harm from unscientific treatments: Argyria from colloidal silver, death from chelation therapy, infection or other complications from acupuncture, burns from ear candleing, stroke from chiropractic neck manipulation — the list goes on. ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074068 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:00:50 +0100 4074068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4040515&cid=t_158962_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F07%2Fevidence-based-mental-health-2010-vol-13-no-3%2F Title: Moderate or high physical activity lowers the risk of cognitive impairment in older people Skinny: Physical activity is associated with a variety of beneficial health outcomes, including the prevention of cognitive impairment among older adults, which this article concentrates on. Filed under: Evidence Based Practice, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Older People, Physical Activity Tagged: Cognitive Impairment, Evidence Based Practice, Exercise, Mental Health, Older People, Physical Activity (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4040515 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:05:42 +0100 4040515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4040565&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbook-review-the-mayo-clinic-book-of-home-remedies%2F2010.10.07 I write a lot of critical articles. It’s nice to be able to write a positive one for a change. I received a prepublication proof of The Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies: What to Do for the Most Common Health Problems. It is due to be released on October 26 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon.com. Since “quackademic” medicine is infiltrating our best institutions and organizations, I wasn’t sure I could trust even the prestigious Mayo Clinic. I was expecting some questionable recommendations for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments, but I found nothing in the book that I could seriously object to. It is organized alphabetically, starting with acne and airplane ear and progressing through bedbugs, boils and bronchitis, dandruff, depression and diabetes to warts, w... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4040565 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:00:43 +0100 4040565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4040516&cid=t_158962_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F07%2Fquality-and-safety-in-health-care-2010-vol-19-no-4%2F Title: National quality campaigns: who benefits? Skinny: The use of national quality campaigns to foster evidence-based hospital practices is increasing. Because campaigns typically do not limit access to their resources, they may influence non-enrolled hospitals too.  Article examines the relative impact of a national campaign, the Door-to-Balloon (D2B) Alliance, on enrolled and non-enrolled hospitals. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online Filed under: E-Journals, Evidence Based Practice, Hospitals, Impact Assessments, Quality Tagged: Evidence Based Practice, Hospitals, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4040516 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:21:37 +0100 4040516 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036590&cid=t_158962_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F06%2Fhow-will-we-ever-keep-up-with-75-trials-and-11-systematic-reviews-a-day%2F An interesting paper was published in PLOS Medicine [1]. As an information specialist and working part time for the Cochrane Collaboration* (see below), this topic is close to my heart. The paper, published in PLOS Medicine is written by Hilda Bastian and two of my favorite EBM devotees ànd critics, Paul Glasziou and Iain Chalmers. Their article gives [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036590 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:45:04 +0100 4036590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036649&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhow-the-swedish-mammography-study-shouldve-been-analyzed%2F2010.10.05 We reviewed four stories on the Swedish mammography study that appeared in the journal Cancer last week. Three of the four stories gave a pretty clear indication that there were methodological concerns about the Swedish research (of the four reviewed, only HealthDay offered no such hint): • 4th paragraph of AP story: “The new study has major limitations and cannot account for possibly big differences in the groups of women it compares.” • 1st paragraph of LA Times blog story: “Critics charged that the study was poorly designed and potentially vastly misleading.” • 2nd sentence of NY Times story: “Results were greeted with skepticism by some experts who say they may have overestimated the benefit.” But none of the stories did a very complete job of ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036649 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 20:00:34 +0100 4036649 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031368&cid=t_158962_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FB6qLbobY-Ng%2F Welcome to Grand Rounds, the weekly col­lec­tion of best health and med­ical blog posts. This week we invite you to enjoy a broad range of insights, tips, and first-hand stories, presented as a Q&A conversation with bloggers willing to answer, below, a total of 22 good questions. On Health and Medicine What can one-word prescriptions deliver How does food processing change food´s nutritional value Can diet Increases Risk of ADHD Is alcoholism an illness What´s better: steady dete­ri­o­ra­tion over 10 years, or symp­tom-free life for 9 years fol­lowed by rapid dete­ri­o­ra­tion in year 10 On Patient Life As we talk about wellness…what about developing self-compassion Can patients with chronic pain still live a full life What is the patient-doctor etiquette for usin... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031368 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:19:13 +0100 4031368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031275&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fp4p-will-never-work.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031275 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:22:00 +0100 4031275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4025795&cid=t_158962_165_f&fid=36767&url=http%3A%2F%2Fabctherapeutics.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fsensory-integration-more-evidence-that.html There are quite a few opinion pieces in this blog about the state of sensory integration as a model for occupational therapy - the reader is particularly referred here and here for quick background if needed.Continued evidence that occupational therapists have lost control of the 'sensory integration' narrative can be found in the October 2010 Scientific American Article by Nancy Shute entitled "Desperation drives parents to dubious autism treatments."Sensory integration therapy is described in the article as ranging from "wrapping children in blankets or placing them in a hug machine to having them play with scented clay..." They also note in the article that this intervention costs families up to $200 per hour or $6000 per year. Sensory integration is listed in a chart as Temptations: Du... ABC Therapeutics Occupational Therapy Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4025795 Sat, 02 Oct 2010 13:07:00 +0100 4025795 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4003276&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fanticoagulation-for-superficial-vein.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4003276 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:31:00 +0100 4003276 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4001685&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-affordable-care-act-whats-not-being-reported-about-preventive-screening-benefits%2F2010.09.25 One part of the health care law that took effect this week is widely reported as “establishing a menu of preventive procedures, such as colonoscopies, mammograms and cholesterol screening, that must be covered without co-payments.” For example, one of my local papers, the [St. Paul, Minnesota] Star Tribune, wrote: “Some people will no longer have to pay for copays, coinsurance or meet their deductibles for preventive care that’s backed up by the best scientific evidence.” (emphasis added) That phrase should always include a huge asterisk, like the one hung on Roger Maris’ 61st home run. The best scientific evidence according to whom? Time magazine reports, “Procedures, screenings and tests that are considered ‘preventive’ will be determ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4001685 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 22:00:26 +0100 4001685 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993962&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fconsumers-want-more-care-not.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993962 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 10:37:00 +0100 3993962 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3980849&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fpatients-have-inflated-expectations-of.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3980849 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 10:47:00 +0100 3980849 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3980852&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fwhere-do-we-stray-from-best-evidence-in.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3980852 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 10:40:00 +0100 3980852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3972929&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fnon-evidence-based-conventional.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3972929 Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:52:00 +0100 3972929 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3965418&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FoPskSFLzMHg%2F Molecular biologists working with a team of anthropologists have discovered a new gene that is set to revise the theories of social structure in humans. The team initially embarked on an ambitious project to discover when humans and our early ancestors formed hierarchies whereby the members in key organisational positions began to become underproductive social malignancies with the sole aim of self perpetuation at the expense of functional individuals. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3965418 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 07:51:03 +0100 3965418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3965410&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fistethoscope-app-does-not-replace-a-doctors-stethoscope%2F2010.09.13 An article in The Guardian, the popular British newspaper, on an iPhone medical app that attempts to replicate the stethoscope starts out as: The stethoscope — medical icon, lifesaver and doctor’s best friend — is disappearing from hospitals across the world as physicians increasingly use their smartphones to monitor patients’ heartbeats. More than 3 million doctors have downloaded a 59p application — invented by Peter Bentley, a researcher from University College London — which turns an Apple iPhone into a stethoscope. It’s obvious to those intimate with medicine that “3 million doctors” using this app was a ridiculous number. Unfortunately, it took The Guardian one full week to realize this egregious error — they meant to say “3 million overall d... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3965410 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 22:00:58 +0100 3965410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3965422&cid=t_158962_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FtMZN8RSkHpU%2F Can contemporary medical economics combat the growing threat of microbes? Have we created sufficient evolutionary pressures that the microbe diseases of yesteryear and the neglected pathogens of today become a threat for us tomorrow? Whilst I don't yet have the answers I intend to test my hypotheses and opinions expressed below as part of a review, which I also intend on making into a science communication presentation, (I will share if it’s of sufficient quality). (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3965422 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 07:39:09 +0100 3965422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3954261&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwho-partners-with-traditional-healers-in-africa%2F2010.09.09 There’s an AIDS epidemic in Africa, and efforts to fight it are hampered by the endemic social problems of that continent. Chief among them are the lack of sufficient modern health resources, the spread of destructive rumors and myths about HIV/AIDS, and even the persistence of HIV denial in Africa (although this last factor is better than in the past). The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance are teaming up with the Traditional Health Practitioners Association of Zambia (THPAZ) to address the first problem –- the lack of health services. Most Zambians use traditional healers for primary healthcare. The WHO has therefore decided to utilize traditional healers in the fight against AIDS. There are interesting pros and cons to this policy, but it mus... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3954261 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:00:20 +0100 3954261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946452&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fjamas-breast-and-ovarian-cancer-article-getting-the-facts-straight%2F2010.09.08 Journalist Andrew Holtz has been a colleague for longer than probably either one of us wants to remember. He is currently one of our story reviewers on HealthNewsReview.org. In fact, he was one of the reviewers on four stories we analyzed last week on the same study. He thought there were some important take-home messages that rose above the walls of our formal systematic review, so he wrote this guest blog post, and we thank him for it: The Sept. 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association included an article that is likely to have a strong influence on the advice given to women who have a very high risk of breast and ovarian cancer linked to mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Of the four stories we reviewed, only the AP report scored well on our review criteria. I kno... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946452 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:00:38 +0100 3946452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946590&cid=t_158962_125_f&fid=37825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbibbynews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F08%2Fbisphenol-a-and-dental-sealants-the-evidence%2F Researchers at Children’s Hospital in Boston recently conducted a systematic review examining the existence of Bisphenol A in dental materials and assessing potential health risks. This chemical is thought to cause problems with reproduction and development. The study, cited by sources such as CNN and HealthDay News recommends continued use of these dental products, with [...] (Source: Bibby Library News and Tips) Bibby Library News and Tips blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946590 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:47:06 +0100 3946590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946455&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoctors-wanted-for-hazardous-journey%2F2010.09.08 “MEN WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. SMALL WAGES, BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF COMPLETE DARKNESS, CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL. HONOR AND RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS.” With this want ad, circa 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton recruited 28 souls with an unimaginable challenge: To cross the unexplored Antarctica on dogsled. The polar explorer knew exactly what human characteristics he needed to pull off such a feat and understood that straight talk would resonate with a few select men. Shakleton and his crew boarded their ship, the “Endurance,” and sailed the world’s most dangerous oceans straight into harms way — still considered one of the world’s greatest survival stories. Amazingly, all men survived against unimaginable odds. Their story reminds us that we a... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946455 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:00:38 +0100 3946455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946495&cid=t_158962_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fsome-comparative-effectiveness-research.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946495 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:40:00 +0100 3946495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933089&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fprevention-magazines-inaccurate-coffee-cures-story%2F2010.09.03 The September issue of Prevention magazine inaccurately headlines the story ”4 Ways Coffee Cures.” There’s no solid proof that coffee cures anything — unless some of you cure bacon with java, which I don’t want to know about. What the story (below) did was to try to present a cute little graphic summary of observational studies that show a statistical association between increasing coffee consumption and fewer early deaths, fewer deaths from heart attack, fewer cases of dementia, and fewer cases of type 2 diabetes. But such observational studies (they actually never cite the source — I’m just giving them the benefit of the doubt that they’re citing observational studies) CAN’T establish cause and effect, therefore it’s inaccura... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933089 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:00:50 +0100 3933089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3890501&cid=t_158962_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F21%2Fethical-best-practice-in-an-evidence-based-age%2F There were 2 presentations at this year’s annual American Psychological Association convention, which were important to psychotherapists in particular. With the ever-growing challenge to prove efficacy of each and every treatment, healthcare providers and consumers alike face some confusion as to how much information is enough, or too much. Does every therapists need to give a long presentation about the relative proven efficacy of low-dose medication combined with verbal therapy — and 2 hours gardening per week? (I made up the last part, but hiking and fresh air were a popular cure for quite a long time in 19th Century Europe.) Physicians are acutely aware of the need to know the research, and most ethical codes demand informed consent. Both health and mental health professionals ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3890501 Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:20:35 +0100 3890501 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3885344&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-selectiveness-of-science-denialism%2F2010.08.19 Statement #1: The holocaust never happened. Hitler loved Jews and respected Jewish culture. The photographic evidence of the camps, including the bodies and atrocities, were all fakes designed by the State of Israel to generate international sympathy. Statement #2: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an effective treatment for numerous medical conditions. Acupuncture has been around for centuries and is widely practiced in China and elsewhere. Science has proven its efficacy in controlled experiments. With any luck, that first statement should generate dozens of hits from watchdog groups berating me for spreading the vile lie of Holocaust denial. The second statement, or words perilously close to that effect, has appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine, a previously-prestigious ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3885344 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:00:13 +0100 3885344 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3862009&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ffda-warning-industrial-bleach-as-a-cure-for-cancer-and-hiv%2F2010.08.12 On the heels of Scott Gavura’s superb post on dietary supplement regulation in the U.S. and Canada, I bring you one of the most egregious and obscene product cases I have seen in 15 years of teaching on botanical and non-botanical products: Miracle Mineral Solution. Please accept my apologies in advance for not having a scholarly post for you – this is just too unbelievable not to share with science-based medicine readers. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Science-Based Medicine* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3862009 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 22:00:48 +0100 3862009 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3862013&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fquackademic-medicine-infiltrates-the-new-england-journal-of-medicine%2F2010.08.12 One of the things that disturbs me the most about where medicine is going is the infiltration of quackery into academic medicine. So prevalent is this unfortunate phenomenon that Doctor RW even coined a truly apt term for it: Quackademic medicine. In essence, pseudoscientific and even prescientific ideas are rapidly being “integrated” with science-based medicine, or, as I tend to view it, quackery is being “integrated” with scientific medicine, to the gradual erosion of scientific standards in medicine. No quackery is too quacky, it seems. Even homeopathy and naturopathy can seemingly find their way into academic medical centers. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Science-Based Medicine* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3862013 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:00:31 +0100 3862013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3854522&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-improbable-unsinkable-glucosamine%2F2010.08.10 Glucosamine is widely used for osteoarthritis pain. It’s not as impossible as homeopathy, but its rationale is improbable. As I explained in a previous post: Wallace Sampson, one of the other authors of this blog, has pointed out that the amount of glucosamine in the typical supplement dose is on the order of 1/1000th to 1/10,000th of the available glucosamine in the body, most of which is produced by the body itself. He says, “Glucosamine is not an essential nutrient like a vitamin or an essential amino acid, for which small amounts make a large difference. How much difference could that small additional amount make? If glucosamine or chondroitin worked, this would be a medical first and worthy of a Nobel. It probably cannot work.” Nevertheless, glucosamine (alone or with chondr... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3854522 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:00:34 +0100 3854522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3845075&cid=t_158962_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F08%2Fcollaborating-and-delivering-literature-search-results-to-clinical-teams-using-web-2-0-tools%2F There seem to be two camps in the library, the medical and many other worlds: those who embrace Web 2.0, because they consider it useful for their practice and those who are unaware of Web 2.0 or think it is just a fad. There are only a few ways the Web 2.0-critical people can be convinced: by [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3845075 Sun, 08 Aug 2010 16:52:52 +0100 3845075 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3833414&cid=t_158962_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F08%2Fkaleidoscope-2-2010-wk-31%2F Almost a year ago I started a new series Kaleidoscope, with a “kaleidoscope” of facts, findings, views and news gathered over the last 1-2 weeks. It never got beyond the first edition. Perhaps the introduction of this Kaleidoscope was to overwhelming & dazzling: lets say it was very rich in content. Or as Andrew Spong tweeted: “Part cornucopia, [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3833414 Sat, 07 Aug 2010 23:46:33 +0100 3833414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3827345&cid=t_158962_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FTP0trINh5Nk%2F Joining a small, but growing list of academic institutions, the University of Minnesota has adopted new rules governing conflicts of interest for its med school employees, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune writes. The ethics policy overhaul is part of a university-wide effort, but the new rules are tougher for faculty and staff at the Academic Health Center, which includes the schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and colleges of Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine. “The feeling was that the bar needed to be higher for people who come in clinical contact with patients and others,” Frank Cerra, the U’s senior vp for health sciences, tells the paper. “I think it’s a good policy. The move comes a year after the med school was the target of a congressional inquiry into ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3827345 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:11:20 +0100 3827345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3827069&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmedical-school-and-hard-science%2F2010.08.05 One of the recurring themes of this blog, not surprisingly given its name, is the proper role of science in medicine. As Dr. Novella has made clear from the very beginning, we advocate science-based medicine (SBM), which is what evidence-based medicine (EBM) should be. SBM tries to overcome the shortcomings of EBM by taking into account all the evidence, both scientific and clinical, in deciding what therapies work, what therapies don’t work, and why. To recap, a major part of our thesis is that EBM, although a step forward over prior dogma-based medical models, ultimately falls short of making medicine as effective as it can be. As currently practiced, EBM appears to worship clinical trial evidence above all else and nearly completely ignores basic science considerations, relegating the... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3827069 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:00:55 +0100 3827069 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3805785&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F2010%2F07%2Fboris-johnson-and-his-innovative-trial-methodology%2F Ben Goldacre, The Guardian, Saturday 31 July 2010 It’s the near misses that really make you want to shoot your own face off. This week the Centre for Policy Studies has published a pamphlet on education which has been covered by the Mirror, the Mail, the BBC, the Telegraph, the Express, the Guardian, and more. Boris [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3805785 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:03:00 +0100 3805785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3786988&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fus-healthcare-when-is-enough-enough%2F2010.07.25 A new survey in the journal Health Affairs synthesizes nearly everything I believe is wrong with the U.S. healthcare system. The survey found that patients believe that more care is better, that the latest and most expensive treatments are the best, that none of their doctors provide substandard care, and that evidence-based guidelines are a pretext for denying them the care they need and deserve. Sigh. Until we can retrain consumers (that would be all of us) to understand that in medicine more is NOT better, that evidence-based guidelines may translate in some instances into less but better care, that doctors are falliable and should be questioned, and that the cost of a treatment has nothing to do with the quality, we will never get out of the healthcare quagmire in which we find ourselv... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3786988 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0100 3786988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3762901&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsame-sex-vs-opposite-sex-whats-the-rule-on-friendship%2F2010.07.17 I’m stealing a post from Jay at Two Women Blogging entitled “Was Harry Right?” Here’s their post, and I discuss it below: Was Harry Right? Bluemilk got me started thinking about this. I first heard Harry’s thesis advanced by the resident I worked with on my med school psych rotation. She assured me that while I might think I had platonic friendships with men, the men didn’t see it that way. I was pretty sure they did see it that way. I wasn’t naive, I was engaged to be married and had done my share of dating and flirting — I knew what it felt like when a man was interested in me sexually and I knew the difference. I still know the difference, and I still have men friends. For most of my life, my closest friends have been men. (more…) ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3762901 Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3762901 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3757863&cid=t_158962_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fscience-20-new-community-site-for-scientists-and-physicians%2F2010.07.15 I’ve recently come across Science 2.0, a new community site that doesn’t want to become a Facebook for scientists, but something different. Here’s what Mark Hahnel, the founder, had in mind: As you know, Science 2.0 is based on real time news and comments, which the users provide. Obviously, places like friend feed do exist and I don’t wish to take anything away from it. The idea of this place though, is a fluid evolving site, where users can suggest, edit or contribute in any way they wish. I’d really like to hear suggestions on what people would like to see, how we can answer the questions that science 2.0 poses collectively. I only started the site last week but the response has been great and the site has evolved quite a lot in a week due to user suggestions. There are se... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3757863 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:00:34 +0100 3757863