PUBHLTH 1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 93: The Hastings Center, Five Ws, Clinical Trial
Document Summary
Factors that lend validity to results: large study population. Conflicting results from two major studies. Clinical trial is the gold standard. Results of cohort study were confounded by associated factors that made women taking. Hrt healthier, even without the therapy ethical issues: new rules informed consent. Tuskegee syphilis study (to observe people who didn"t receive therapy) New rules -- institutional review boards. Possibility of conflict of interest by medical providers who stand to profit. Conflicts of interest in drug trials: drug companies are required to conduct randomized controlled trials on any new drug before it can be approved. Harmful side effects have frequently become obvious after drugs were approved. There is evidence that drug companies sometimes suppress negative findings. All clinical trials must now be registered in advance in a public database. Visit the web site of the hastings center (www. thehastingscenter. org)
