Convincing Medical Research

Posted by Anthony Lee Jul 11, 2008

Medicine is an evidence-based profession. Everything we know about diagnosis and treatment is based on research. These days, a patient may print out a study related to a specific disease or treatment and bring it to their doctor. There's nothing wrong with doing so, unless one fails to understand how much it takes to convince a healthcare professional.

For one thing, a study involving many patients has more power than smaller studies. Case reports and small case series usually won't do. If something about a disease or treatment can be proven, it should be seen on a large scale.

For treatments, studies have to show statistically significant difference between the new treatment and the standard one. Therefore, patients receiving the new treatment should be compared with patients receiving the standard one. After all, if the two treatments are equivalent in safety, efficacy, and price, what would be the point of the new treatment? This is why doctors like comparative studies, especially randomized controlled trials.

The last thing to consider is the number of studies. Even if a great randomized controlled trial demonstrates success with a new treatment, the study should be repeated in a similar fashion. If the same results can be replicated, then the medical community would have further promising evidence for this treatment.

These are the main things doctors look for when reviewing clinical research. It takes a lot to convince the medical community of any new fact about a disease or treatment.