This website aims to provide only reliable information on health and medicine. For the articles on this website, only trusted sources are used for research. References are cited in the articles so that the reader can cross-check the information or do further reading on their topic of interest.
Why is reliable information more usable than authentic information?
Medical practice is guided by evidence from scientific research. Scientific studies of many types, for example, case series, randomized control trials (RCTs), etc. Different types of scientific studies, although being authentic, generate different levels of evidence. See the image below for the hierarchy of scientific evidence generated from different types of studies used in medical research. Some types of studies like case reports generate a low level of evidence, whereas some types like systematic reviews and meta-analysis generate a high level of evidence. Evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analysis can be more reliably generalized for the entire population. This is why clinical practice guidelines of professional organizations and medical textbooks are usually based on systematic reviews and meta-analysis.
Let’s understand the above fact with the help of an example. In scientific research, it is not uncommon to see conflicting conclusions on a topic from different studies. For example, one randomized control trial (RCT) may conclude that omega 6 fatty acids can cause inflammation, whereas another RCT may not find any evidence for the same. Both studies may be authentic, but which study can be reliably used for clinical practice? Here, a systematic review can do an in-depth analysis of various RCTs on the topic (in this case, inflammation caused by omega 6 fatty acids), and give a conclusion in favor of any of the above outcomes. Thus, information from the systematic review can be considered more reliable for clinical practice than the randomized control trials.
We, as far as possible, try to use systematic reviews and meta-analysis for our articles. However, sometimes research on a particular topic is in its infancy, and systematic reviews and meta-analysis are not available. In such cases, information is extracted from studies with lower levels of evidence. Furthermore, we try to extract the information for our articles directly from the original studies rather than taking it from other websites.
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Disclaimer: The information on this website is strictly for educational purposes only. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment. Always consult a qualified medical professional for any advice regarding a medical condition. Do not disregard any professional medical advice or delay in seeking medical help because of any content on this website. Although every effort is made to provide the latest, accurate, and comprehensive information in this content, the author does not take any liability for any damage arising from any use of this content. The content is provided as-is and without any warranties.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
