Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Snake Oil Science

Here's an interesting post at Science Based Medicine about a new book, Snake Oil Science by R. Barker Bausell. The book discusses research of alternative medical treatments and how those research studies can go awry.

My favorite line from the post:
"Bausell points out that penicillin cures pneumonia even if you’re in a coma, but alternative medicine only seems to work when you are awake."
I'd be interested to know what those of you in the health-care industry think about this.

3 comments:

What Dreams said...

I've been seduced a time or two into using some form of alternative medicine (e.g. glucosamine)and some how I don't seem to be able to convince myself that it works.
I'm actually kind of jealous of those who can use it.
I mean, if you think you feel better, then you do feel better, right.
Not so for me.

What Dreams said...

I know Aunt Bobby's keyboard is broken, or she'd be weighing in on this subject.
Bobby, get a new keyboard! We need to hear your point of view. You're open minded AND rational on this subject.

Nanette said...

I like that line.

I'm all for what works; if it is all in your head and it happens to work, whoohoo!