Understanding Medical News Reports

Understanding Medical News Reports

Understanding Medical News Reports

A new treatment, a "wonder" drug, a "miracle cure"—can appear all in the medical news stories that you read or hear reported every day. The sheer volume and wide spectrum of health and medicine topics reported in the news can be overwhelming. Medicine is not stationary. It is more like a phenomenom. The medical and scientific communities are constantly making advances that can help you live a long and healthy life, but it’s important that you consider medical news carefully to evaluate and understand its significance.

How can you be an educated user of this medical information?
Consider the Source of the News Story

The articles we select for posting in our Medical News section are selected from a group of well-established medical journals that are highly respected in the medical community. These wide-circulation medical journals have high scientific standards; the articles are carefully peer-reviewed (reviewed by medical experts) and evaluated by medical editors before being accepted for publication.

But not all medical news you hear or read about comes from highly respected scientific sources. Standards of scientific review of medical studies differ among sources, and some standards may not be as strict as those held by well-established medical journals, educational institutions, and government health care agencies.

Because of this variety of sources, the quality of the findings and interpretations from scientific studies can vary.

Don’t Judge One Report as the End-All

It is important to remember that a report of a promising new advance in medicine is just one of many medical research studies being done. Don’t judge one report as the end-all. The value of a new finding from one specific study must be taken in the context of other medical studies. The medical community usually does not change well-established treatment and diagnostic approaches based on the findings of a single study until those findings have been validated by other research studies. Occasionally, national health care organizations dedicated to improving the health of Americans will issue public health statements. Consider the source of the information and the reputation of the organization when incorporating any recommendations into your health.

Talk or write to your doctor here on line or in person.

Talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you have about medical news stories that you think might impact your health. Your doctor can help you understand the research findings, evaluate the validity of the study, and explain how the findings may relate to your personal health. Your doctor is the best judge of what’s right for you—any changes in treatment or diagnostic decisions will be based on your current state of health and your medical history.

We encourage you to ask your doctor questions about medical news stories that you believe could be of particular relevance to you. Write down your questions in advance. When you go to your doctor appointment, bring a copy of the medical news article you are interested in discussing.Also understand that your doctor may not be able to answer all your questions right away. Because of the vast number of medical journals, doctors can’t possibly read every new medical article published every week or month. Your doctor may need to do some additional research before he can answer your questions or make a recommendation.

Determine how the findings relate to you

You need to determine if the new findings or developments relate to your health and examine the potential value for you and your family. With this knowledge, you can enhance and strengthen the relationship you have with your doctor by working together as partners in your health care.

Become an Active Participant in Your Health Care

Our goal is to provide you with the most up-to-date, accurate medical information available—information that will help you stay healthy and prevent disease. By being well informed about recent advances in medicine, you can become an active participant in your health care decisions--maintaining good health for you and your family.

Visit our new "Ask The Doctor" section today!