While I believe that a scientific and skeptical outlook is important in many aspects of life, it should come as no surprise that feel it is especially important in health care. And yet, even among skeptics, medicine is an area where misconceptions, ideology, and emotions tend to predominate. We all take our health very personally.
That is why I am very excited that the JREF is taking an increased interest in the promotion of science-based medicine (SBM), and this is reflected in this year's The Amazing Meeting - TAM8.
I will be hosting two SBM workshops, with my colleagues David Gorski, Harriet Hall, Kimball Atwood, and Rachael Dunlop. These workshops are designed to give attendees practical knowledge - the first focusing on how to recognize dubious sources of health information, and the second on how to find reliable sources of health information. The topics are obviously closely related, but we are coordinating the content of the two workshops so that they are not redundant. Along the way we will discuss many details of pseudoscience in medicine.
In addition I will be moderating a panel discussion during the main program of TAM on pseudoscientific healthcare systems, such as chiropractic, homeopathy, acupuncture, and naturopathy. David, Harriet and Rachael will be joined on the panel by Simon Singh and Ginger Campbell. Together we will explore why these unscientific health systems develop and flourish, and what, if anything, can be done about it. This panel will be a dynamic discussion - and I anticipate some areas of disagreement on the panel as we delve into some of the more tricky issues regarding autonomy and quality control.
I'm looking forward to another great Amazing Meeting (is that redundant?). The JREF has put together a great lineup of speakers and I am glad that many of my medical colleagues are counted among them.
More information about TAM 8, including the Science Based Medicine workshops and panel, can be found here.