UK Group formed to challenge "CAM" misinformation.

[Jack]

Thought this might interest one or two folk on here.


A new force to counter misleading health claims has been launched by Simon Singh, Alan Henness, and Maria MacLachlan. Its formation was inspired by the impact of complaints made by Henness and others about misleading claims on chiropractic Web sites.

The Nightingale Collaboration intends to challenge misleading claims and pressure organizations that represent "complementary" and "alternative" practitioners to have robust codes of conduct that are rigorously enforced.

The collaboration is seeking volunteers who can gather relevant misinformation, coordinate local campaigns, and submit complaints to the appropriate regulatory bodies. Its Web site is http://www.nightingale-collaboration.org/

[EskbankHibby]

Any idea what the specific misleading chiropractic claims were Jack?

Asking practitioners to adhere to specified codes of conduct and this drive for evidence based practice can only be a good thing, more protection for patients too.

[Phil D. Rolls]

Any idea what the specific misleading chiropractic claims were Jack?

Asking practitioners to adhere to specified codes of conduct and this drive for evidence based practice can only be a good thing, more protection for patients too.

Depends upon the quality of the evidence. IMO in certain fields the need for EBP is actually getting in the way of common sense and making life worse for patients.

[Jack]

Any idea what the specific misleading chiropractic claims were Jack?

Asking practitioners to adhere to specified codes of conduct and this drive for evidence based practice can only be a good thing, more protection for patients too.

I’m just passing on news I thought would interest folk. :agree:

My position is that evidence based medicine is the only medicine that should be dished out with our taxes. :cool2:

What folks do with their own money is up to them. [Edit: so long as the resultant damage done and costs involved by the likes of chiropractic practitioners are picked up by them too.]

[EskbankHibby]

Depends upon the quality of the evidence. IMO in certain fields the need for EBP is actually getting in the way of common sense and making life worse for patients.

Agreed, poor quality/anecdotal evidence should not shape clinical practice.

[Phil D. Rolls]

I’m just passing on news I thought would interest folk. :agree:

My position is that evidence based medicine is the only medicine that should be dished out with our taxes. :cool2:

What folks do with their own money is up to them. [Edit: so long as the resultant damage done and costs involved by the likes of chiropractic practitioners are picked up by them too.]


That's NICE. :greengrin

[Twa Cairpets]

I’m just passing on news I thought would interest folk. :agree:

My position is that evidence based medicine is the only medicine that should be dished out with our taxes. :cool2:

What folks do with their own money is up to them. [Edit: so long as the resultant damage done and costs involved by the likes of chiropractic practitioners are picked up by them too.]


Spot on.

The danger for me is that persuasive CAM practioners can "suggest" that traditional medicine is dangerous/ineffective/designed to make you ill rather than well. People should be absolutely free to waste there money on whatever they want, but every penny spent on CAM from reflexology to reiki or our old pal ear-candling is money spent foolishly, often by those least able to spend it.

Like psychics and mediums, CAM practioners should be required to display there services as being "for entertainment purposes only".

[Phil D. Rolls]

Spot on.

The danger for me is that persuasive CAM practioners can "suggest" that traditional medicine is dangerous/ineffective/designed to make you ill rather than well. People should be absolutely free to waste there money on whatever they want, but every penny spent on CAM from reflexology to reiki or our old pal ear-candling is money spent foolishly, often by those least able to spend it.

Like psychics and mediums, CAM practioners should be required to display there services as being "for entertainment purposes only".

Alternatively, they could label it "plant food", or "souvenir only".:greengrin

Not wanting to comment on the CAM issue, but there is a bigger picture on the "evidence based" argument. If all medicine is to be evidence based, it prevents doctors trying radical approaches when all else has failed.

There was no evidence for penicillin at one time.

[EskbankHibby]

Alternatively, they could label it "plant food", or "souvenir only".:greengrin

Not wanting to comment on the CAM issue, but there is a bigger picture on the "evidence based" argument. If all medicine is to be evidence based, it prevents doctors trying radical approaches when all else has failed.

There was no evidence for penicillin at one time.

I don't see an issue to be honest, address specific clinical problems with proven clinical interventions. If the evidence based stuff doesn't work break out the leeches.:greengrin

[Twa Cairpets]

Alternatively, they could label it "plant food", or "souvenir only".:greengrin

Not wanting to comment on the CAM issue, but there is a bigger picture on the "evidence based" argument. If all medicine is to be evidence based, it prevents doctors trying radical approaches when all else has failed.

There was no evidence for penicillin at one time.

I see no evidence that this is true...:wink: