Category: Commentary
The Trashing of Science by Robert F Kennedy Jr
If confirmed, Kennedy will keep trashing science and will continue exploiting the trashed science he helps create for his own benefit.
Can AI Reduce Doctor Burnout?
I lived and worked through the transition in medicine from completely paper-based documentation to completely digital-based – using an electronic medical record (EMR). There is no question, the EMR system is much better. Access to information, communication, ordering tests, tracking results, and documenting visits are all much easier with an EMR. But modern doctors and other health care providers are not exactly...
The willful blindness of RFK Jr’s supporters
Shrug, move on and never admit you were wrong
RFK Jr On Obesity
We have been giving a lot of attention to RFK Jr recently, with good reason. He is poised to be put in charge of the federal institutions that regulate health and medicine. This is beyond problematic, as he has a long list of antiscience opinions. Part of the problem is that he lacks topic expertise (he is not a health care professional...
Questions About Pandemic Preparedness
The theme at SBM this week is questions for Trump’s nominees for key health positions within the federal government. David got the ball rolling with an excellent summary of the nominees and questions for each. Jonathan followed up with his own list of questions. I would like to continue the theme, focusing on our preparedness for the next pandemic. It is arguably...
Physician Misinformation
When physicians spread medical misinformation, the potential harm to health is far greater than their direct patient care. And yet, in a recent study, medical boards rarely discipline physicians for spreading misinformation. The JAMA article looked at 3128 medical board disciplinary proceedings involving physicians. Spreading misinformation to the community was the least common reason, at 0.1%. Direct patient misinformation and inappropriate advertising...
Bhattacharya for the CDC?
The Stanford health economist turned right-wing pandemic star could help take down academia and scientific institutions in a second Trump administration
EcoHealth Alliance Fights Back
The organization scapegoated by the lab leak-promoting GOP-led House Covid subcommittee publishes its defense
Conspiracy Thinking And Alternative Medicine
Just recently, in casual conversation, someone commented to me that “they” already have a cure for cancer but are hiding it. This is a claim I frequently encounter. One survey, from 2005, found that 27.3% of those surveyed endorsed this belief. Another survey from 2014 found that 37% of people believe the FDA is suppressing natural cancer cures on behalf of “Big...
We are not antivaccine, we are pro unattainable vaccine
When it comes to vaccines: “If it exists we resist.”