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Category Archives: General
Approaches to Uncertainty in Medical Decision Making
When I was training to be a veterinarian, an older vet once described the nature of his work this way, “I make decisions for a living.” After more than 8 years in practice, I know exactly what he meant. The … Continue reading
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The Doctor Is In
As a beginning blogger, one of the most exciting, and challenging things about running this site is finding new topics of interest to readers. Some of my favorite posts have come from questions or suggestions from readers. So I just … Continue reading
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Animal Hospice — We Need It, and We Need to Do It Right
Over the last several decades, attitudes towards pets and their role in our households have change dramatically, and in my opinion for the better. Many pet owners see their animal companions as family members rather than objects of utility and … Continue reading
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Cognitive Dissonance and Evidence-Based Medicine
Cognitive dissonance is the emotional reaction to becoming aware that one holds two contradictory ideas or feelings simultaneously. It is a term from a rich area of cognitive psychology looking at how people derive and maintain beliefs. One of the … Continue reading
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CAM and Religiosity
I have often referred to CAM as “faith-based medicine” due to its reliance on belief over evidence for validation, and I have commented on my perception that such a belief-based approach resembles religion, for which I have been soundly chastised … Continue reading
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From Respectful Insolence – New Study on CAM and Vaccines
Orac at Respectful Insolence has posted a summary of a recent paper examining the relationship between usage of CAM (specifically defined as being treated by chiropractors, naturopaths, acupuncturists, and massage therapists) treatments and vaccine rates. The study looked at children … Continue reading
Posted in General, Vaccines
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The Gonzalez Trial – The Cost of Studying The Unlikely
First, I just wanted to point out that I have added another example to the list of harm done by use of CAM. In this case, it’s a tragic story about a young women suffering needlessly yet unwilling to give … Continue reading
Posted in General, Miscellaneous CAVM
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What’s the Harm?
CAM proponents aggressively market their approaches with the assurance, often absolute and without qualification, that their methods never cause harm. And perhaps the most common response to critiques of CAM from people who consider themselves mildly skeptical of it but … Continue reading
Posted in General, Miscellaneous CAVM
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From SBM – Why Unproven Does Not Mean Harmless
This post examines a study suggesting that CAM use may decrease the success rate of in vitro fertilization efforts. It is similar to a previous study suggesting CAM use is associated with shorter life expectancy in cancer patients in that … Continue reading
Posted in General, Miscellaneous CAVM
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Woo U. — CAVM as Continuing Education for Veterinarians
Veterinarians are required by the state laws that control their licensure and scope of practice to keep up with changes in the body of knowledge and techniques that makes up veterinary medicine. Such continuing education is a requirement for all … Continue reading
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