Regarding Piersante's questions:
> So, my questions are:
> How much is my view shared?
> In your experience, how much of EBM curricula are dedicated to
> understanding the principles behind the heuristics, rather than teaching
> how to follow rules?
>
I share your view, Piersante. I always taught that epidemiology (as does EBM) provides rules for logical inquiry. People can agree on what any set of data say explicitly, but disagree on what those data mean, so our understanding of theory and applicability must rest on a logical process for inquiry. This doesn not imply that the practices of patient care under EBM rest on blind obedience to rigid rules, only that the decisions are informed by a systematic approach to critical appraisal of available evidence. In that sense, my use of "rules for logical inquiry" fit your concept of "heuristics" very well.
David.
--
David Birnbaum, PhD, MPH
Adjunct Professor
School of Nursing & School of Population and Public Health
University of British Columbia
Principal, Applied Epidemiology
British Columbia, Canada
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