Trick or Treat – Is The Treatment To Good To Be True?

When healthcare professionals recommend a treatment, it should be based to some degree on evidence. However, sometimes there is not much evidence available and we have to trust that the professional is an expert and is making a decision based on sound judgment. Sometimes, however, report that there is evidence for a treatment, but under scrutiny, it is found to be of poor quality. This can certainly happen in reputable sources, but there is a much greater chance with so-called “predatory journals”. These journals are reaching out repeatedly to researchers and clinicians asking for papers, and there is very little (if none) peer review process to ensure the research is sound. Respected researcher Chad Cook (Duke University) published a paper in one of these journals – it included many items that had no relation to the topic the article was supposed to cover and contained a multitude of mistakes. The paper was published like this and Chad went on to publicize that he had done this on purpose to highlight the issues. I would encourage any of my patients and blog readers to keep this in mind when they look at the medical opinions that are out there! If you have questions on this topic drop me a line.