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When Evidence Says No, but Doctors Say Yes
Article

When Evidence Says No, but Doctors Say Yes

David J. Epstein and ProPublica
The Atlantic, 2017
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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Innovative
  • Eye Opening

Recommendation

Investigative reporter David Epstein, writing for ProPublica, reveals the troubling truth about many popular medications and procedures: They’re of no benefit to most of the people receiving them. He presents a good range of evidence against many therapies, including common blood pressure medications, knee surgeries and trendy cancer drugs. He’s not unsympathetic: They’re not just evil doctors trying to make a buck. Some of them simply struggle to believe counterintuitive science, while others fear lawsuits if they don’t do as the patient asks. While never giving medical advice, getAbstract recommends Epstein’s analysis to health care professionals and patients alike.

Take-Aways

  • Many of the standard treatments doctors commonly recommend are ineffective or potentially harmful.
  • Some doctors resist new evidence when the standard treatment is “bio-plausible”: It just makes intuitive sense that it would work.
  • Patients contribute to the problem by demanding particular drugs or surgeries.

About the Authors

David Epstein is an author and investigative reporter at ProPublica, an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.

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