Category: Guidelines

Quoth quacks, “The medical consensus has changed before, making my quackery science!”

Brave maverick doctors (i.e., quacks) have long tried to portray themselves as "innovators" challenging an ossified medical consensus for the good of patients. This tradition continues among COVID-19 quacks, in particular the Frontline COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance and its founders.

/ August 28, 2023

Burden of Proof Studies and Health Risk

A new way of presenting knowledge about health risks highlights the ambiguity of the evidence and the importance of basic health behaviors.

/ October 12, 2022

Conclusions Not So NICE: A Critical Analysis of the NICE Evidence review of puberty blockers for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria

A critical look at the UK's National Health Service-commissioned review of transgender youth health services and the harm it has caused.

/ October 17, 2021

Melatonin

Melatonin supplements are increasingly popular, but the evidence is weak and mixed.

/ December 15, 2020

The Mask Ask: Understanding and Addressing Mask Resistance

The wearing of masks has become contentious on scientific and ideological grounds. Why is that, and how can we communicate with people who don't follow the scientific guidelines?

/ October 16, 2020
Pharmacy shelf of priobiotics

Probiotics, revisited

New guidelines do not recommend probiotics for most gastrointestinal conditions.

/ July 9, 2020

Is It Safe?

Is it safe to go to the dentist? Dentists are doing their best to try to ensure it is as safe as possible, with lots of guidance and extra measures to protect patients and staff.

/ June 12, 2020

The Wisdom of Third Molar Removal

In the Olden Times (ten or so years ago), the indication for third molar (aka “wisdom teeth”) removal was the presence of wisdom teeth. Now, oral surgeons are rethinking things.

/ April 24, 2020

Update on Vitamin K Refusal

Vitamin K shots at birth are a safe and effective method for preventing bleeding, but that doesn't stop some parents from refusing.

/ February 26, 2020

Osteopenia: When Does Decreased Bone Density Become a Disease Requiring Treatment?

Osteoporosis is routinely treated with bisphosphonates to prevent fractures. A new study suggests that osteopenia should be treated too. But questions remain.

/ January 8, 2019