Medical study statistics 101

August 24, 2007

A handy guide for patients when they see studies discussed in the media.



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  4. Statistics and sensationalism
  5. Medical studies in the media
  6. The media influence on patients and medical stories
  7. The VA continues to overstate its statistics


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{ 2 comments }

1 throckmorton August 24, 2007 at 1:11 pm

This is a great article. I only wish the news would explain this when they broadcast a study. Right now all my diabetic patients think that they are at higher risks for MIs because of their medications not because of their disease.

2 RoseAG August 26, 2007 at 7:22 pm

That’s interesting that the meta-analysis was rated as the best type.

After recent media reports about that diabetes drug I came away with the impression that using studies originally designed for other purposes in meta-analysis wasn’t necessarily the best method.

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