Use of oxygen in heart attack patients has remained uncertain for over 40 years, but clinical practice has only recently caught up with the evidence. Carl Heneghan My Oxford Handbook of Acute Medicine – getting rather old now, like me – states to give oxygen in the initial management of myocardial infarction. Oxygen was routine […]
Latest articles
A Word About Evidence: 2. Meta-analysis
The history of the statistical procedure called meta-analysis begins with GV Glass, who invented the word in the 1970s. But the history of the word itself begins long before that, with Aristotle. Jeff Aronson The Greek preposition μετα had several meanings, depending on whether it governed the accusative, genitive, or dative case. With the […]
Rare adverse events in clinical trials: understanding the rule of three
Investigators should report rare and very rare adverse events in clinical trials: Igho Onakpoya reports why it is important that all events are reported irrespective of their frequency. Even though they may not give a signal in any single trial, a meta-analysis could reveal potentially important drug-adverse event associations that might require further […]
We need better evidence in humanitarian disasters: here’s why
Humanitarian aid is the help provided in response to humanitarian disasters. The objectives of humanitarian aid are to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity. Therefore, it makes sense, well it does to me, that to achieve these objectives there is a need for better evidence. And here’s why. Carl Heneghan First, a […]
EBM library: Systematic reviews to support humanitarian medicine
The EBM library signposts some essential reading for the practice of Evidence-Based Medicine. In this part of the library, we highlight the role of systematic reviews in humanitarian medicine. Kamal Mahtani Systematic reviews have made significant contributions to the pool of best available evidence in healthcare. In a previous post, I explored the importance of […]
EBM library: Systematic reviews in policymaking – part 2
The EBM library signposts some essential reading for the practice of Evidence-Based Medicine. In this part of the library, we highlight papers that reflect the role of systematic reviews in policymaking. Kamal Mahtani In part 1 of this series two papers highlighted why systematic reviews are important in policymaking, and some challenges this may bring. In […]
A Word About Evidence: 1. We need an ology
Evidence-based medicine was invented in about 1990, but we still don’t have an ology word to describe it or its practitioners (its ologists). Jeff Aronson Most biosciences, with some exceptions (see the examples), have an ology, and their practitioners can be called ologists. So what should we call the practice of EBM and its […]
Why do rates of knee arthroscopy differ?
A recent trial of keyhole knee surgery for partial meniscectomy showed surgical intervention was ineffective. Surgery rates have varied markedly over time and across the UK, suggesting there is a lot of overtreatment. Carl Heneghan Published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases the randomised trial reported arthroscopic partial meniscectomy was no more effective than […]
BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine Strategy
BMJ EBM publishes original evidence-based research, insights and opinions on what matters for health care. Carl Heneghan, Editor in Chief, BMJ EBM The BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine strategy focuses on the tools, methods, and concepts that are basic and central to practising evidence-based medicine. How we deliver relevant, trustworthy and impactful evidence: By Disseminating relevant research: saving […]
Is it the end for type 2 diabetes monitoring?
More intense monitoring makes no difference to outcomes in type 2 diabetes and costs a lot more, but not everyone agrees on what should be done in practice. Carl Heneghan, Ben Goldacre Glucose self-monitoring with automated feedback messaging in type 2 diabetics not taking insulin makes no difference to patient outcomes and costs a lot […]