We Want Them Infected Podcast Methodolatry & Madness: The Pitfalls of RCTs During a Pandemic
This episode of "We Want Them Infected" features a critical examination of the role and challenges of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosts Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orange discuss how the pandemic has tested the limits of RCTs, which are often considered the gold standard in medical research. They address the ethical concerns that arise when implementing RCTs during a crisis, such as the risk to participants and the feasibility of obtaining informed consent under emergency conditions.
Jonathan shares his experience participating in an RCT for the AstraZeneca vaccine, highlighting both the personal commitment involved and the broader implications of such trials. The conversation also touches on the practical challenges faced by medical teams during the pandemic, including resource limitations and the psychological toll on healthcare workers.
The hosts critique the weaponization of RCT rhetoric to undermine public health measures, discussing specific cases where RCTs were demanded as the only valid proof of effectiveness, despite the urgent need for timely action. They emphasize the importance of balancing scientific rigor with ethical responsibility and practicality, advocating for adaptive research methods that can respond to the dynamic nature of a global health emergency.
List of Resources:
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Journal Articles on RCTs - Research papers that discuss the methodology, outcomes, and ethical considerations of randomized controlled trials.
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COVID-19 Studies - A collection of published studies specifically related to COVID-19 treatments and vaccine trials.
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Ethics in Medical Research - Books and articles that explore ethical dilemmas in conducting medical research during pandemics.
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History of RCTs - Publications detailing the development and evolution of randomized controlled trials in medical science.
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Public Health Policy During Pandemics - Resources that examine the intersection of public health policy, research methodology, and crisis management.
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