Why More Creativity is Required for the Philosophy of Evidence-Based Medicine to Progress

philosophy of medicine

Dr. Jeremy Howick

Why More Creativity is Required for the Philosophy of Evidence-Based Medicine to Progress

ABSTRACT: Philosophical critiques of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) have focused almost exclusively on two topics: randomization and the evidential role of mechanisms. Other aspects of EBM – ranging from what counts as good evidence for a diagnostic test and the predictive value of prognostic markers to whether there is any ‘evidence’ for EBM and the role of expertise – have been all but ignored. In this lecture I will briefly outline the arguments of the EBM epistemology, then outline some of the interesting questions that might be pursued in the future.

This is the second of two brief workshops run by the Oxford Philosophy and Medicine Network. Researchers representing the different areas of philosophy of medicine within the Network will present their ongoing work and get feedback from other researchers within the network. The aim of these workshops is twofold: (a) for Network members to share their ongoing and planned research, (b) for Network members to identify areas of current and future overlap, with a view to developing collaborative research grants. Taking time scarcity into account, these workshops will last between 60 to 90 minutes and be organized around lunch or tea time. In addition to existing members of the Network, practicing clinicians will be encouraged to attend. This will help make sure that the aim of the Network (to practice medically relevant philosophy) is maintained.

 

Medical Humanities

Contact name: Dr Jeremy Howick
Contact email: jeremy.howick@phc.ox.ac.uk
Audience: Open to all