For Sonja / randomised studies

May 5, 2004

Sonja,

I shall be watching this space. When you get the positive result, I shall

be opening a bottle of champagne over here in Germany. And I don't normally

even drink. You are an amazing example of perseverance and thank you for

giving so much support and hope to others too.

***

Anyone who has been on this board for a while is aware that although

fibroids are my main hobby, I have a few little related sidelines going,

unethical research for example. Blood pressure is a new one (mine is a

little high) and I think my first two hobbies have a definite effect on the

latter one.

Whilst browing the net a few days ago I came across a paper that absolutely

electrified me. It is entitled " The ethics of randomised controlled trials

from the perspectives of patients, the public and healthcare professionals "

by J.L. , R.J. Lilford and J. Hewison published by the British

Medical Journal in Volume 317, 31st October 1998.

Here are a few choice quotes and anyone who is interested can read the full

paper, here is the link

" Doctors do not seem to take informed consent from competent patients as

seriously as they should "

" Most doctors expressed willingness to enter their patients in trials, even

when the treatments offered were widely available but were not an equal bet

prospectively; the fact that members of the public suspect this might

undermine their confidence in trials "

" The results were often surprising and sometimes shocking.... "

" 87% went as far as to say that they would enter more patients if they

could dispose of informed consent altogether..... But would these doctors

subject one of their children to randomisation in such circumstances? "

" And patients suspected as much - the proportion of patients or members of

the public who thought it likely that doctors put people in trials even if

equipoise was not present ranged from 26% to 70% "

Carla, that whole issue of the BMJ dealt with the subject of randomised

trials. Maybe you know about these papers already, if not - happy reading!!

Take care everyone,

At 18:11 03.05.04 +0000, you wrote:

>Thank you to all who gave me support.

>I'll keep you posted with future pg tests!

>Hugs,

>:)Sonja

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