{oh huckleb} Medicine in the Media: Debunking journal reports and news at #NIHMiM12

[xchrom]

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/molecules-to-medicine/2012/10/19/medicine-in-the-media-debunking-journal-reports-and-news-at-nihmim12/


Lisa Schwartz and Steve Woloshin

***SNIP

The main instructors of the course were Drs. Steve Woloshin and Lisa Schwartz, from Dartmouth, where they teach and write about their “healthy skepticism” initiative. This program includes documenting exaggeration, overdiagnosis, and studies of effective risk communication.

While it will take me some time to absorb all the material presented in this intense immersion course, they have on-line aids outlining their approach to understanding studies, available online via the Journal of the National Cancer Institute’s web site and Dartmouth’s Healthy Skepticism program site.

I particularly like their systematic, standardized approach, illustrated by their summary of the value of CAT scans for lung cancer screening. It would be extraordinarily helpful to have this sort of uniform reporting of results. Of course, that would lead to a more literate, skeptical public, which is why it will probably never be adopted…way too costly to industries. (Their common sense, pragmatic approach reminds me of Elizabeth Warren’s plain speaking and efforts to have a strong Consumer Protection Agency). For example, they provide a clear glossary of numbers with examples of how to calculate risk, and much of the course had us go through worksheets using these calculations. They similarly provide guidance as to how to report the findings.

Similarly, critically analyzing reports was stressed by Gary Schwitzer. I like his systematic approach as well, though was a bit surprised at the extent of his negativity about cancer screening tests. More for me to review…His HealthNewsReview.org provides handy questions to ask and tips for understanding studies from the fine “Covering Medical Research.”

[bemildred]

1. +1. (Except for the callout.)

Skepticism IS scientific, in fact it is fundamental to being scientific.

[xchrom]

2. Strictly meant as a compliment to him.

I think these are serious people thinking about what's in journals.

[bemildred]

3. OK.

I'd be curious what he thinks of it too.

[HuckleB]

4. Interesting. Thanks!

[xchrom]

5. Sure.

[HuckleB]

6. And, yes, it does give one some hope!