The placebo is a crucial component of clinical trials. An active intervention, one that has a presumed biologic mechanism of action targeted to a malady, is tested against an inert agent, the placebo. Inert means it has no mechanism of action aimed at the malady being studied. The classic description of a placebo is the […]
Is the placebo-effect real, or a figment? Read More »
Clinical science is a process for continually revising ideas about what is best for us should we become ill. It challenges older ideas by comparing old to new tests or treatments. The fuel of science is competing ideas, the grist of science is comparison. Clinical science has four main components; a) measurement, b) options, or
What can COVID-19 teach us about science? Read More »
The rhetoric after the latest COVID-19 update has changed, slightly. The discussions are, appropriately, about the burden of COVID-19, but, also, about how we get back to normalcy. I admit I am optimistic about this contagion. It is not polio, small pox, or HIV. People were paralyzed, died, or got AIDS. The frequency of serious
What now for COVID-19? Alternatives? Read More »
As a researcher, I had two habits. First, rethink everything, and, second, the best research ideas are 180 degrees opposite the prevailing. So, a good place to start to think about what to do next about COVID-19 is to think differently. This blog is about one alternative, I will propose others. But thinking differently must
What now for COVID-19? Here is one idea. It may be right, but untenable? Read More »
The time has come to vet whether our government officials, Republicans or Democrats, leaders at the CDC, leaders at the NIH, leaders in public health, and talking heads have made an egregious mistake in response to the coronavirus. In rational decision making, we make choices among alternatives that have been tested to see if one
Public health magnificence, or malpractice for COVID-19? Read More »
They are 24 and 21, respectively, and healthy, co-habitating college graduates with good jobs. And they got sick. Both, off-set by just a few days, developed a dry cough and runny nose. Three days into their illness they developed a fever of about 100 degrees. They called to ask if they had COVID. I said
I have friends asking why there is variation in the death rates by country for COVID-19, and if this is the worst pandemic ever seen? They ask, I think, because at my age, and with 45 years practicing medicine, I have seen a few epidemics. They are concerned that we may be overreacting if COVID-19
Are COVID-19 and Flu that different? Read More »
A man making a decision to have a shingles vaccine told me that his physician said the vaccine would reduce his chance of shingles by 50%. But, 50% of what? What does 50% really mean? To become a medical decision maker, you must understand numbers. But, numbers can either confuse or enlighten depending how they are communicated.
The “theory of relativity” for decision makers. Read More »
