Peddling bad science

That will be the message from Professor George Lewith, Professor of Health Research at Southampton University, speaking at a debate on complementary medicine at Guy’s Hospital medical school this week (28^th April 2009). Professor Lewith will say:

'We hear bigotry rather than science.

'More science fiction than science fact. This misleads doctors and their patients, and can harm the therapeutic relationship.'

'Take the claim that chiropractic can cause stroke, for instance. Evidence from large scale scientific studies does not support that.'

Two deaths in the 1990s following chiropractic treatment in Canada attracted a great deal of attention and led to some claiming it was the treatment that had caused the stroke.

Later studies have shown that people who already have the early symptoms of a particular type of stroke – neck pain and headache – may seek treatment from either a GP or a chiropractor. Whichever health professional they chose, the same number of patients went on to have a stroke. Professor Lewith will say:

'Every scientist knows that just because one event follows another, it does not necessarily mean that the first event must have caused the second.

'Yet those who oppose complementary medicine continue to claim that chiropractic is dangerous, ignoring good evidence that challenges their views.

'They are peddling bad, ill informed and irresponsible science.'

The debate – on whether complementary medicine does more harm than good – has been organised by the Kings College London Social Medicine Society, and is open to all those interested in the subject. It will take place at 5.45 pm, Tuesday 28^th April, at New Hunt House, Guy’s Medical School, London.

Professor Lewith and his fellow speaker Professor David Peters will go on to talk about estimating risk and to discuss complementary therapies in treating cancer patients, chronic disease and helping those with multiple illness.

They will say that just as their opponents are wrong about the evidence regarding chiropractic, they are wrong when they suggest conventional medicine is always safe. They are wrong when they claim that all complementary therapies are unproven – and equally wrong to say that all, or even most, conventional medicine relies on scientific evidence. And they are wrong to dismiss patients’ views from their calculations. Professor Lewith will say:

'Patients are not mere mechanisms for us to practice our science on. They are rational human beings who should expect to be treated as partners in all decisions affecting them, not social inferiors who should do as they are told.

'The patient’s opinion is an important factor in deciding about treatment and may affect treatment outcome.

'Campaigners who forget that are not just poor scientists, they lack compassion too. That is unforgiveable.'

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1.     For more information, contact Pat Goodall, 01246 410707, 07789 871234 or pat.goodall@fih.org.uk

2.     Professor George Lewith is Professor of Health Research at the University of Southampton Medical School. Professor David Peters is Professor of Integrated Health at the University of Westminster. Both are Fellows of The Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health. Other Fellows include Professor Ruth Chambers, a director of Naturally Healthy and an adviser to the Department of Health on clinical governance in respect of re-validation of practitioners; leading oncologist Professor Karol Sikora; Dr Catherine Zollman, a GP who co-authored the British Medical Journal’s ABC of Complementary Medicine and many others.

3.     The Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health was founded by the Prince of Wales in 1993. Its principal aim is to make sure that all patients can access good integrated healthcare. That means treating patients as whole human beings – paying attention to body, mind and soul. It may include access to proven complementary therapies, but the Foundation does not suggest that is necessarily the best course of action for all conditions and all patients. More information about the Foundation can be found at www.fih.org.uk

4.     The debate on complementary medicine is open to journalists and the public. It will take place 6.00 pm 28^th April 2009 at New Hunt House, Great Maze Street, directly opposite the main entrance to Guy’s Hospital. This building will be locked to the public at 6.00 pm, so external guests are asked to arrive by 5.45 pm. Science writer Simon Singh, supported by Professor Michael Baum, will be proposing the motion: This house believes complementary and alternative therapies do more harm than good. Professor Lewith and Professor Peters will oppose the motion. More information is available from the organisers: the KCL Social Medicine Society, contact Heloise Moore-Mate, 07791 3929565.

5.     The King's College London Social Medicine Society is the medical student interest group in medicine and society at King's. The Society aims to engage student interest in the interface between medicine and society. This is done, in part through a series of lively and controversial events which are open to the public. Previous events have included a lecture on why antidepressants don't work, and a symposium on decriminalising prostitution and the implications for healthcare. Forthcoming events include lectures on the effects of the credit crunch on health, and 'Can lunatics be stopped? Prevention of homicides by psychiatric patients'.