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'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:54:11 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174665&cid=t_107155_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F29%2Fbeliefs-about-memory-interview-with-dan-simons%2F In a recent survey of the U.S. population, researchers Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris assessed common beliefs about memory.  They found that common beliefs are often incongruent with scientific findings.  Recently I had an opportunity to ask Simons about some of the implications of the survey. What motivated this survey on understanding memory? Our goal in conducting the study was to supplement the research we had done for our book, The Invisible Gorilla. The book focuses on everyday illusions, cases in which people’s intuitive beliefs about how the mind works are faulty. In writing the book, we realized that nobody had ever conducted a national survey to measure how pervasive those beliefs are. Our PLoS One paper reports the results from a subset of the items in the survey,... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174665 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:53:28 +0100 5174665 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174619&cid=t_107155_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmedical-news-stories-beware-of-insufficient-evidence%2F2011.08.28 After seeing the NBC Nightly News last night, a physician urged me to write about what he saw: a story about a “simple blood test that could save women’s lives.” Readers – and maybe especially TV viewers – beware whenever you hear a story about “a simple blood test.” And this is a good case in point. Brian Williams led into the story stating: “Two of three women who die suddenly of cardiac heart disease have no previous symptoms which is all the more reason women may want to ask their doctors about a blood test that can be a lifesaver.” Then NBC News chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman said: “It’s not a new test, it’s not an experimental test but nonetheless it’s a test not a lot of people know about and tha... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174619 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 14:00:15 +0100 5174619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158863&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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=5028454&cid=t_107155_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F13%2Fapproaches-to-knowledge-2-interview-with-nathaniel-b-jones%2F This is the second article of a two-part interview with Dr. Brian Jones.  Dr. Jones has a PhD in exercise science and is a full-time professor at the University of Louisville where he teaches both undergrad and graduate courses.  He approaches his classes from a scientific standpoint with an emphasis on critical thinking. In a nutshell, what is science?  Does science really prove anything? Science is a process. It is a system for evaluating information based on formulating a hypothesis, carefully testing that hypothesis through data collection and analysis, and revising the hypothesis. If the hypothesis withstands the researcher’s attempt to falsify it then it tentatively stands supported by the research. Nothing in science is ever truly “proven” correct. Scientific fa... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028454 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:25:51 +0100 5028454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028457&cid=t_107155_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F12%2Fmatthew-israel-founder-of-judge-rotenberg-steps-down-in-disgrace%2F We missed reporting this at the end of May when it happened, but I like to close the loop on stories we’ve discussed in the past, so I thought it relevant to mention here. We’ve previously detailed how the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center in Canton, Mass. has a “treatment” for out-of-control children where electric shocks are given in order to curb their behavior (ala BF Skinner). We’ve also noted the horror of the incident where a former patient was able to make a single phone call and cause the staff to shock two children in its care over 100 times. Now, finally, the founder of the school, Matthew Israel, has agreed to step down from the Center in order to avoid prison time. In an agreement reached with the state’s Attorney General, he will be on pro... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028457 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:50:56 +0100 5028457 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992686&cid=t_107155_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fexaggerated-claims-can-be-found-in-respected-medical-journals%2F2011.07.02 e-Patients who want to collaborate with their physicians, and be responsible for their medical decisions, need to clearly understand what constitutes good evidence. It’s not always easy. Now Richard Smith, a 25 year editor of the British Medical Journal, has written another piece for the BMJ blog, citing a JAMA study showing “that of the 49 most highly cited papers on medical interventions published in high profile journals between 1990 and 2004 a quarter of the randomised trials and five of six non-randomised studies had been contradicted or found to be exaggerated by 2005.” What’s an e-patient to do?? Especially when we “patients who google” are so often sneered at by physicians who rely on these same journals. Well, we need to educate ourselves, and learn to speak calmly, ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992686 Sat, 02 Jul 2011 12:00:37 +0100 4992686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952744&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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=4921424&cid=t_107155_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcell-phones-and-brain-cancer-evidence-of-a-link-is-limited%2F2011.06.10 If the recent announcement by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) that cell phones may cause brain cancer has you worried, you might want to wait a bit before trashing your mobile phone and going back to a land line. Last week, the IARC convened experts from around the world to assess what, if any, cancer threat cell phones pose to the 5 billion or so people who use them. After reviewing hundreds of studies, the IARC panel concluded that cell phone use may be connected to two types of brain cancer, glioma and acoustic neuroma. That sounds mighty scary. But the IARC said the evidence for this conclusion was “limited.” Most studies have shown no connection between cell phone use and brain cancer. In the relatively small number of studies that have observed a connectio... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921424 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:00:11 +0100 4921424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921435&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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=4841579&cid=t_107155_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F19%2Fmyths-about-memory%2F Memory is important in everyday judgments and decision-making.  In some way or another, memory affects most aspects of our lives.  It is no surprise that there are many myths about memory. Memory involves processing of information in different stages: sensory, short-term, and long-term.  However, the mechanics of memory are not my concern in this article. Here, I’ll focus on a couple of popular myths about memory.  Donald Varakin, cognitive scientist, sheds light on these myths. So I posed the following question to Dr. Varakin… I am aware there are numerous myths about memory.  What have you found to be the two most common myths? It’s probably hard to limit it to two, but assuming you can only give us two, what would they be? Here’s Dr. Varakin’s reply: ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841579 Thu, 19 May 2011 20:30:39 +0100 4841579 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841478&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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=4747651&cid=t_107155_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F24%2Fanalyzing-the-thinking-process-interview-with-diane-halpern%2F Diane Halpern is a professor of psychology at Claremont McKenna College; she is the former president of the American Psychological Association and former president of the Western Psychological Association.  Halpern has won many awards for her teaching and research, including the 2002 Outstanding Professor Award from the Western Psychological Association, the 1999 American Psychological Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching, and the Silver Medal Award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.  She has also authored a variety of books. Here are some of Halpern’s views on the thinking process. What is the goal of critical thinking?  Is critical thinking rational thinking? Critical thinking is good thinking or clear thinking—it involves analyzing the think... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4747651 Sun, 24 Apr 2011 12:16:37 +0100 4747651 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4744817&cid=t_107155_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=4724052&cid=t_107155_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fresearch-brief-effect-of-victim-impact.html Paternoster, R., & Deise, J. (2011). A HEAVY THUMB ON THE SCALE: THE EFFECT OF VICTIM IMPACT EVIDENCE ON CAPITAL DECISION MAKING. Criminology, 49(1), 129-161.The past several decades have seen the emergence of a movement in the criminal justice system that has called for a greater consideration for the rights of victims. One manifestation of this movement has been the “right” of victims or victims' families to speak to the sentencing body through what are called victim impact statements about the value of the victim and the full harm that the offender has created. Although victim impact statements have been a relatively noncontroversial part of regular criminal trials, their presence in capital cases has had a more contentious history. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned previous decisio... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4724052 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 02:07:00 +0100 4724052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4714750&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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=4642547&cid=t_107155_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F27%2Fsunday-news-round-up-5%2F Assorted items of interest collected over the last week or so; as usual, the Sunday round-up is more socially than medically oriented, this week with several items on transgender women and related rights, issues, and prejudices as I’ve been trying to read more about these topics. Scientific American has an excerpt from a new book, Demand Better! Revive Our Broken Health Care System. It’s a pretty clear explanation of how little doctors apply the best, most current evidence to medical treatment, and might be pretty shocking for folks who are not involved in evidence-based medicine issues. For example: Even though clinical guidelines exist…physicians get it right about 55 percent of the time across all medical conditions. In other words, patients receive recommended care ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642547 Sun, 27 Mar 2011 16:25:47 +0100 4642547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4631485&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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=5159040&cid=t_107155_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D4188%26utm_source%3Drss%26utm_medium%3Drss%26utm_campaign%3Dyet-more-dangerous-nonsense-inflicted-on-students-by-edinburgh-napier-university As promised in my last post about Edinburgh Napier University, I wrote to the vice-chancellor of the university, Professor Dame Joan K. Stringer DBE, BA (Hons) CertEd PhD CCMI FRSA FRSE, to invite her to respond. 7 February, 2011 Dear Professor Stringer, I should be grateful if you could let me know about your opinion of the degrees that you offer in Aromatherapy and Reflexology I have posted on my blog a bit of the material that was sent to me as result of recent FoI requests. See http://www.dcscience.net/?p=4049 I submit that degrees like this detract from the intellectual respectability of what is, not doubt, in other respects a good university, but since you are mentioned in the post, it’s only fair to give you the chance to defend yourself. In fact you’d be very welc... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159040 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:08:06 +0100 5159040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592400&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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=4565908&cid=t_107155_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F4IItw-MO2BQ%2F Reuben Strayer's blog Emergency Medicine Updates gets a good 'ole fashioned LITFL shout out. Some awesome links to click in this one. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4565908 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:59 +0100 4565908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560273&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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=4545012&cid=t_107155_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F03%2Fdoes-semen-make-women-happy%2F Seems to me the basic conflict between men and women, sexually, is that men are like firemen.  To men sex is an emergency, and no matter what we are doing we can be ready in two minutes.  Women, on the other hand, are like fire.  They are very exciting, but the conditions have to be exactly right for it to occur.” ~ Jerry Seinfeld I just couldn’t decide if he was really sponge worthy. ~ Elaine, Fictional character on the TV show. Seinfeld There seems to be rather compelling evidence that semen may be a natural antidepressant for women.  The intriguing feature about this finding is that it emerged from research with lesbians. In the September issue of Scientific American an article (see source below) focused on the many virtues of semen.  No kidding.  It would seem an art... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4545012 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:10:54 +0100 4545012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4540565&cid=t_107155_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=4525053&cid=t_107155_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F26%2F10-forms-of-twisted-thinking%2F Both David Burns (bestselling author of Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy and Abraham Low (founder of Recovery, Inc.) teach techniques to analyze negative thoughts (or identify distorted thinking — what psychologists call “cognitive distortions”) so to be able to disarm and defeat them. Since Low’s language is a bit out-dated, I list below Burns’ “Ten Forms of Twisted Thinking,” (adapted from his “Feeling Good” book, a classic read) categories of dangerous ruminations, that when identified and brought into your consciousness, lose their power over you. 1. All-or-nothing thinking (a.k.a. my brain and the Vatican’s): You look at things in absolute, black-and-white categories. 2. Overgeneralization (also a favorite): You view a nega... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4525053 Sat, 26 Feb 2011 18:17:59 +0100 4525053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4517169&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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=4495202&cid=t_107155_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhy-negative-medical-studies-are-good%2F2011.02.18 This is a guest column by Ivan Oransky, M.D., who is executive editor of Reuters Health and blogs at Embargo Watch and Retraction Watch. One of the things that makes evaluating medical evidence difficult is knowing whether what’s being published actually reflects reality. Are the studies we read a good representation of scientific truth, or are they full of cherry-picked data that help sell drugs or skew policy decisions? That question may sound like that of a paranoiac, but rest assured, it’s not. Researchers have worried about a “positive publication bias” for decades. The idea is that studies showing an effect of a particular drug or procedure are more likely to be published. In 2008, for example, a group of researchers published a New England Journal of Medicin... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4495202 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 22:20:24 +0100 4495202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477767&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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=4405823&cid=t_107155_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F27%2Fphrenology-examining-the-bumps-of-your-brain%2F The next time you say, “so and so should have her head examined,” remember that this was literally done in the 19th century. Phrenology, as it became known, is the study of brain function. Specifically, phrenologists believed that different parts of the brain were responsible for different emotional and intellectual functions. Furthermore, they felt that these functions could be ascertained by measuring the bumps and indentations in your skull. That is, the shape of your skull revealed your character and talents. Viennese doctor and anatomist Franz Josef Gall originated phrenology, though he called it cranioscopy. He was correct in saying that brain function was localized (this was a novel idea at the time), but unfortunately, he got everything else wrong. When Gall was young, he not... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405823 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:01:01 +0100 4405823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405778&cid=t_107155_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcranberry-juice-for-urinary-tract-infections-evidence-is-still-lacking%2F2011.01.26 It always somewhat surprises me how some interventions never seem to die. One therapy that refuses to be put to rest, or even to be clarified, is the use of cranberry juice for urinary tract infections (UTIs). PubMed references go back to 1962, and there are over 100 references. Firm conclusions are still lacking. There is a reasonable, but incomplete, basic science behind the use of the cranberry juice for UTIs. E. coli , the most common cause of UTIs, causes infection in the bladder by binding to the uroepithelial cells. To do this, they make  fimbriae,  proteinaceous fibers on the bacterial cell wall. Fimbriae are adhesins that attach to specific sugar based receptors on uroepithelial cells. Think Velcro. Being able to stick to cells is an important virulence factor for bacteri... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405778 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 22:00:51 +0100 4405778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394476&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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=4318332&cid=t_107155_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbad-science-and-the-gift-of-medical-skepticism%2F2011.01.06 Discover magazine had an article about Dr. Ben Goldacre, a British physician who writes for The Guardian, is the author of the new book “Bad Science: Quacks, Hacks, and Big Pharma Flacks,” and is considered a gift to skepticism. His column is also called “Bad Science,” and he recently gave a short and interesting talk about non-evidence-based medicine at the Pop!Tech conference held in Camden, Maine. Enjoy! Ben Goldacre Talks Bad Science from PopTech on Vimeo. *This blog post was originally published at ScienceRoll* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318332 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 20:00:52 +0100 4318332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318334&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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=4314048&cid=t_107155_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F05%2Fandrew-wakefield-the-autism-vaccine-link-and-deliberate-fraud%2F As though Dr. Andrew Wakefield didn’t have enough problems. After his study of 12 (count ‘em — a whole 12!) children was thrown out of The Lancet when its original claim of a link between autism and MMR vaccines didn’t really hold water, now he’s got the BMJ on his case. The problem with the original study came when nobody — and I mean, nobody — could replicate the research. Not Wakefield. Not other researchers. Science demonstrates a strong finding when data is replicable. When nobody can replicate your research, it’s considered an unreliable or extremely weak finding. And in this case, it’s not even that. The BMJ today claimed that Dr. Andrew Wakefield allegedly engaged in deliberate fraud in his original study. “The MMR [measl... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4314048 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 01:13:52 +0100 4314048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318339&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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=4309669&cid=t_107155_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F03%2Fis-science-dead-in-a-word-no%2F A few weeks ago, Jonah Lehrer wrote a somewhat dumbed-down and sensationalistic article for The New Yorker entitled, The Truth Wears Off: Is there something wrong with the scientific method? In it, Lehrer cites anecdotal evidence (and a little data) to support the proposition that perhaps the scientific method — how we scientifically validate our hypotheses with data and statistics — has gone horribly awry. But what Lehrer failed to note is that most researchers already know about the flaws he describes, and diligently work toward minimizing the impact of those issues. The scientific method isn’t broken. What Lehrer is describing is simply science at work — and working. The best response to this essay comes from ScienceBlogs writer PZ Myers, Science is not dead. In... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309669 Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:39:15 +0100 4309669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309619&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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=4203187&cid=t_107155_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F11%2F26%2Fscared-straight-not-really%2F “Controlled studies show that boot camp and “Scared Straight” interventions are ineffective, and even potentially harmful, for delinquents.” — Lilienfeld et al, 2010, p.225 ‘Scared Straight’ is a program designed to deter juvenile participants from future criminal offenses. Participants visit inmates, observe first-hand prison life and have interaction with adult inmates. These programs are popular in many areas of the world. The basic premise of these programs are that juveniles who see what prison is like will be deterred from future violations of the law — in other words, “scared straight.” “Scared Straight” emphasizes severity of punishment, but neglects two other key components of deterrence theory — certai... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4203187 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 12:50:48 +0100 4203187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197075&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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=4133713&cid=t_107155_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fscreen-everyone-for-pancreatic-cancer-what-about-evidence-and-harm%2F2010.11.03 Continuing this week’s spontaneous theme (we didn’t make the claims and write the stories) of runaway enthusiasm for various screening tests by some researchers and journalists, HealthDay news service has reported on a study published in the Oct. 28 issue of the journal Nature that they say “provides new insight into the genetics of pancreatic cancer.” In the story, they let one of the researchers get away with saying, almost unchallenged: “What’s important about this study is that it’s objective data in support of why everyone should be screened for pancreatic cancer.” Mind you, this was a study that looked at tissue from just seven patients. The story continued with its breathless enthusiasm for the pancreatic cancer screening idea: &#822... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133713 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:00:41 +0100 4133713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133721&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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=4105840&cid=t_107155_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FzhPYbx7FCjA%2F Malpractice Methodology (New York Times OpEd by Peter Orszag) Right now, health care is more evidence-free than you might think. And even where evidence-based clinical guidelines exist, research suggests that doctors follow them only about half of the time. One estimate suggests that it takes 17 years on average to incorporate new research findings into widespread practice. As a result, any clinical guidelines that exist often have limited impact. How might we encourage doctors to adopt new evidence more quickly? If this is the case with health care overall, despite much progress over the last 30–40 years, imagine how worse it may be when we talk about brain health, when neuroscience and cognitive neuroscience are relatively more recent disciplines. This is a key insight to keep in m... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4105840 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:09:04 +0100 4105840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086290&cid=t_107155_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=4082017&cid=t_107155_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F19%2Farchives-of-dermatology-2010-vol-146-no-10%2F The objectives of this article are to promote a better understanding of a group of biases that influence therapeutic decision making by physicians/dermatologists and to raise the awareness that these biases contribute to a research-practice gap that has an impact on physicians and treatment solutions. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Filed under: Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals Tagged: Athens Password, Bias, Current Awareness, Dermatology, E-Journals, Evidence (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082017 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 09:48:25 +0100 4082017 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082342&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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_107155_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=4018177&cid=t_107155_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Faspartame-facts-vs-fiction%2F2010.09.30 If you believe everything you read on the Internet, then is seems that a chemical found in thousands of products is causing an epidemic of severe neurological and systemic diseases, like multiple sclerosis and lupus. The FDA, the companies that make the product, and the “medical industrial complex” all know about the dangers of this chemical, but are hiding the truth from the public in order to protect corporate profits and avoid the pesky paper work that would accompany the truth being revealed. The only glimmer of hope is a dedicated band of bloggers and anonymous email chain letter authors who aren’t afraid to speak the truth. Armed with the latest anecdotal evidence, unverified speculation, and scientifically implausible claims, they have been tirelessly ranting about the evils o... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4018177 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:00:22 +0100 4018177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4003276&cid=t_107155_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_107155_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