trauma-list Digest, Vol 72, Issue 26

• Previous message: Recent advances in blood product transfusion in trauma
• Next message: Alternative therapies (OT)
• Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]

>
> Oh, for goodness sake.
>
> The plural of anecdote is not data.
>
Thanks for your refreshing clarity, Fiona.

A few years ago my hospital, a 250 bed level II trauma center, started a complementary medicine program. When one of my post op pts told me he'd received aroma therapy and had his "energy fields" adjusted by a hospital employee, I started a physician uprising against the program. Unfortunately, it had the support of many nurses and a few MDs. Finally, I learned that one of the massage therapists was commanding "evil spirits" to come out. I swear I am not making this up. I pointed out to the hospital administration how embarrassing it would be if the local paper found out we were doing exorcisms, and the plug was quickly pulled. All the original organizers of the program have since moved on.

In retrospect, I shouldn't have been surprised that things went so quickly off the deep end. When you are engaged in practices that have no basis in theory and no supportive evidence, how do you know when you're doing it badly, or when you've crossed the line? You never drew a line.

BTW, you should add http://www.centerforinquiry.net/ to your list.

Keep it up,

Mike Pietro, M.D.

• Previous message: Recent advances in blood product transfusion in trauma
• Next message: Alternative therapies (OT)
• Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]