A manifesto for Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) was published in the BMJ earlier this year and presented at Evidence Live. Jeff Aronson has been thinking again about the word manifesto. The Indo-European root MAN meant a hand. The Latin word was manus, from which we get words such as maintain, manacle, manage, manège, manicure, manipulate, […]
Tag: Featured List
Seven ways to ensure faster removal of harmful medicines
Harmful medicines sometimes stay on the market for longer than they should. When that happens, people are unnecessarily exposed to medicines that may adversely affect their health. Igho Onakpoya The benefit-harm balance of new medicines is often not fully known at the time marketing licences are granted. More information about harms often becomes apparent […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
EBM Library – Systematic reviews in policymaking: part 1
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 R. Mahtani One of the purposes of conducting systematic reviews is to provide accessible evidence to inform clinical decisions. In healthcare, they […]
Twelve rules for writing a BMJ EBM Spotlight Blog
These notes are for anyone considering posting a blog on evidence-based subjects but especially for those with little or no previous experience of writing blogs. Carl Heneghan, Jeff Aronson Keep it simple Tackle only one problem or issue. Tell the reader why it is interesting and important. If it doesn’t interest YOU, write about […]
Controversies in PSA screening
40 years after its discovery, a re-analysis of the two largest trials to date, controversially suggests PSA screening may actually be beneficial. Jack O’Sullivan Most healthcare organisations do not recommend PSA screening for prostate cancer (USPSTF, Public Health England), mainly in response to conflicting evidence about the benefits and clear evidence of harms. PSA […]
What can we learn from the EBM Manifesto?
The Better Evidence for Better Healthcare Manifesto (EBM manifesto) has been launched in order to improve the implementation of evidence-based interventions by pulling together a clear set of achievable goals and a strong overview of the strategies that work best, to help deliver change better and faster. In some areas, such as the treatment of illicit […]
Evidence based mentoring for “aspiring academics”
CEBM deputy director Kamal R. Mahtani writes on the value of mentoring. There are times in our careers when we are not sure what to do next, whoever we are. We may lack experience or the confidence to decide what to do; or we may have made a decision and need a word of advice from someone […]