Unlearning Medicine: Reversals, Placebos, and Natural Experiments

Paul and Howard discuss how medicine is changing, and how some common procedures and ideas that were once accepted practice are being abandoned. They also talk about the merits of shouting at your legs, and whether it's possible to mainline red wine.

Topics:

• Why some procedures become accepted practice, despite poor evidence
• The "six weeks" myth in recovering from a soft tissue injury
• Examples of common procedures being rethought, or abandoned altogether
• Some candidates for future medical reversals
• How the coronavirus is creating a natural experiment in which procedures are necessary

Readings:

• Fear and surgical decision making
• Medical Reversal: Why We Must Raise the Bar Before Adopting New Technologies
• Natural experiments

Bios:

Paul Kedrosky is a frequently injured athlete who, when he isn't rehabbing, is also a venture investor. Howard Luks is a top sports orthopedic surgeon.

Music & Disclaimers:

• Crossing the Chasm by Kevin MacLeod
   Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3562-crossing-the-chasm
   License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Marty Gots A Plan by Kevin MacLeod
   Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4992-marty-gots-a-plan
   License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Disclaimers apply and can be heard at the end of the episode.

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