Where is the evidence for common orthopedic procedures?
As orthopedic surgeries have become more prevalent, researchers are taking a closer look at the evidence behind them...or lack thereof. More
Why we need to ask more than, “Does this treatment work?”
In a perspective piece in the Washington Post, Dr. Daniel Morgan, explains why shared decision making requires us to ask, "How likely is this treatment to work?" and why the answer to that question can be tricky. More
When evidence becomes politicized, how do we talk about low-value care?
When we call unproven treatments "cures," we not only put patients at risk of harm, we create a framework in which evidence is no longer valued. Kelsey Chalmers and Judith Garber explore how this perspective could impact the "less is more" movement, and how we need to reframe the issue to build a coalition for change. More
The convalescent plasma roller coaster
The FDA's about-face on emergency approval of convalescent plasma raises questions about the level of evidence we need for Covid-19 treatments, and the role of politics in these decisions. More
Will it take 50-100 years to get the right answer about tPA for stroke?
Do the potential benefits of thrombolytic drugs for acute stroke outweigh the potential harms? In a guest blog, Drs W. Ken Milne and Daniel Fatovich examine this issue in light of new evidence. More
Key questions about remdesivir still unanswered
Since the release of the initial NIH study results, clinicians and researchers have posed many questions about remdesivir, which have so far gone unanswered. Here are a few of them... More
Why pandemic science has gone out of control
In "Issues in Science and Technology," Shannon Brownlee and Jeanne Lenzer explain how our toxic legacy of bad science in medicine has affected coronavirus research. More
Coronavirus treatment hype can lead to harm
Is hydroxychloroquine a "miracle cure" for COVID-19? Or just unwarranted hype? More
No evidence for common bladder pain treatments, patient advocates find
Doctors are increasingly recognizing that bladder pain and urgency is often a symptom of a larger problem with many potential causes. But has this recognition translated into change of practice? More
New Alzheimer’s drug: Game-changing or underwhelming?
When it comes to dementia and Alzheimer's Disease, it appears that anxiety about cognitive decline is driving treatment decisions, rather than evidence. More
The RCT blind spot
Randomized controlled trials are known as the "gold standard" in medical research--but they also have a significant down-side... More
Research on overuse harms: Where do we go from here?
How do we frame overuse not just as an issue of cost but also as an issue of harm? A recap of the Lown Institute meeting on overuse harms research. More
The top ten overuse studies of 2018
Which studies on overuse in 2018 were the most influential? More
Accelerated drug approval has not come with accelerated evidence
Is the FDA's accelerated approval program resulting in better cancer drugs? Two new studies provide insight... More
Can health journalism be saved?
Popular health news often fails to reflect the incrementalism and nuance of medical discoveries, instead hyping unproven treatments. Can we save health journalism? More