We at Science-Based Medicine are pleased to announce the recruitment of yet another blogger to add to the discussion of the scientific basis of medicine. We’re especially pleased because he will help us address questions that we were not particularly well-equipped to address before his joining us. So, please welcome to the SBM fold David Ramey, DVM, who will be discussing science- and evidence-based veterinary medicine.
David Ramey, DVM, is a 1983 graduate of Colorado State University. After completing an internship in equine medicine and surgery at Iowa State University, he entered private equine practice in southern California. Dr. Ramey is an author of numerous books on equine health care, and a prominent voice for the application of evidence-based standards to veterinary medicine. He was a member of the task for on “Therapeutic Options” of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, as well as a member of the task force that wrote the current guidelines for the use of “Complementary and Alternative” veterinary medicine for the American Veterinary Association. He has published numerous articles and books pertaining to “alternative” approaches to veterinary medicine, including the 2004 Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine Considered, co-authored with world renowned veterinary ethicist Dr. Bernard Rollin.
We get a fair number of questions about the use of “alternative” medical practices such as homeopathy and acupuncture on animals, particularly from people who ask us how they can appear to work on animals when animals supposedly don’t exhibit placebo effects. Dr. Ramey will be of great value in discussing such issues. Unfortunately, he will only be able to contribute posts around once a month or so. Fortunately, his first post will appear tomorrow. Don’t miss it.