tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post7316939409336903117..comments2023-09-02T23:55:45.583+10:00Comments on Doctor Skeptic: Hiding in the herdDr Skeptichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09376469049519802493noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-26037844796998587462014-05-26T14:08:44.860+10:002014-05-26T14:08:44.860+10:00I only discovered the reply. Thanks for responding...I only discovered the reply. Thanks for responding.<br />You raise interesting issues in your answer, the issue of competence. Sympathectomy is performed by vascular or thoracic surgeons (in rare circumstance by neurosurgeons, but you would have to look hard to find someone from within that speciality offering this procedure). I wonder how much training and understanding these specialties have of the ANS and it role in other contexts (apart from hyperhidrosis or blushing)? While they might be trained to navigate within the thoracic cavity, they are hardly experts in the field of neurology and the ANS. And that is why when reading the rationale for this procedure, most of what you find is half-truths and fake science to justify the procedure. <br />NICE recently updated their guidelines on the procedure, but all they consulted in the process were the British Thoracic Society, Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland, and Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland. This not only ignores the above point but fails to take into consideration the inherent bias and conflict of interest. <br />The advice on treatment (and sympathectomy) varies greatly once it is not from the surgeons who directly profit/benefit from promoting and offering the intervention. For example the British Association of Dermatologists has a different 'take' on the procedure and does not seem to ignore the literature that has been published on the subject: <br />http://archive.today/3pwza<br /><br />Please consider writing on the subject of this surgery, as even medical professionals (who would be expected to advise the public on this issue) are often not knowledgeable about these procedures, and the best they do is reach for an article or two that was published by a surgeon intent to promote his brand and success. The fake science should be exposed, and the advertising of these procedures better monitored. <br />http://etsandreversals.yuku.com/forums/77/Links-to-Published-Research/Links-to-Published-Research#.U4K-EViSxu4Miahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11822325098959478693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-34079672280665023732013-10-12T17:16:43.394+11:002013-10-12T17:16:43.394+11:00Thanks, somebody had mentioned this procedure to m...Thanks, somebody had mentioned this procedure to me once before and I briefly looked it up. I will put it on my ever-expanding list of procedures to write about but because it is not my field, I would not be qualified to provide an expert opinion.<br />Your blog is interesting and there are many links there to get me started on a blog for this topic.<br />Dr Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09376469049519802493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-56344205688017214432013-10-12T15:12:06.974+11:002013-10-12T15:12:06.974+11:00'Hiding in the herd', (actually all posts ...'Hiding in the herd', (actually all posts on this blog) are painfully relevant to me and reflect my experience following the elective 'cosmetic' procedure to 'cure' sweaty palms (sympathectomy) when I delved into the literature and realised the extent of fabrication, lies and deceit that goes on. The misrepresentation of this procedure and the extent the medical professionals can get away with the 'medical myth' as scientific fact is mind boggling. <br />I am taking legal action due to lack of INFORMED CONSENT, wilful misrepresentation and injury caused by this procedure, and was hoping that you would be willing to apply your medical expertise and skepticism to review the procedure and the literature.<br /><br />My recurrent experience with medical professionals is that when they are asked to comment, they go back to the 'herd-mentality' and are reluctant to scrutinise the pompous silliness that is pretending to be a scientific fact. Sadly these have been repeated so many times, that most (all?) seem to be unable to think critically and question the credibility or validity.<br /><br />I would love to have you on my case as my medical/surgical expert. Please let me know if you are willing/able to provide a medico-legal expert opinion. <br />Thanks.<br />Mia<br />ets.surgery (at) yahoo.com.au<br />http://petitiontohealthminister.blogspot.com.au<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-2022632445354806902013-08-30T07:45:08.749+10:002013-08-30T07:45:08.749+10:00you are not alone - gets 'older' therapy c...you are not alone - gets 'older' therapy clinicians too. Does that make us a sub herd?!<br /><br />ANdyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17296927896060072316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193043695356712843.post-27823067750345271792013-08-21T11:53:50.808+10:002013-08-21T11:53:50.808+10:00Dr,
I deal with this everyday in the therapy worl...Dr,<br /><br />I deal with this everyday in the therapy world. My colleagues are content with living in the wild west of no evidence past and continuing with the same old treatment paradigms just to keep the money flowing.<br /><br />When I do clash professionally about what I am doing (following what the evidence and science suggests), it is almost as if I am speaking to a child. No thought whatsoever is given to what the evidence (how many times can I say that word?) says, but rather only to what is supposed to be done, i.e. following the herd.<br /><br />It's enough to give a young clinician a headache.<br /><br />Rant over. Good post.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03712607108611333477noreply@blogger.com