Using Evidence-Based Medicine (& Social Media) to Improve Patient Care with Dr. Ken Milne

This episode is sponsored by Charm Economics– data-driven solutions for digital health & MedTech businesses.

Dr. Block and his guest, Dr. Ken Milne, delve into the concept of knowledge translation and the time it takes for new information to be integrated into clinical practice. They reference a famous paper that found it takes an average of 17 years for clinically relevant information to reach the patient's bedside. 

However, the hosts believe that this time frame can be shortened with the help of social media and evidence-based medicine. They emphasize the importance of evidence-based medicine but also note that it should not be the only factor in decision-making. The hosts also discuss their checklist for evaluating the validity of studies and how they use their podcast to share new information with their audience. Overall, the hosts believe that shortening the time it takes for new information to be integrated into clinical practice can lead to improved patient outcomes.

The episode also touches on the potential benefits of vitamin C in treating sepsis patients. One study conducted at Dr. Paul Merrick's Institution showed a significant mortality benefit in patients who were given a cocktail of thiamine, Vitamin C, and hydrocortisone. However, the study was not a randomized control trial and was before-and-after observational, leading to skepticism about the conclusions. Over the next few years, properly designed randomized control trials were conducted and found that vitamin C had no significant impact on sepsis patients. Therefore, while there was initial interest in the potential benefits of vitamin C in treating sepsis, further research has shown that it is not an effective treatment.

Looking for something specific within the show? Here you go!

[00:00:00] Evidence-based medicine in practice. 

[00:05:27] Knowledge translation takes 17 years. 

[00:07:26] Randomized control trial questions. 

[00:10:59] Shared decision-making in medicine. 

[00:14:53] Evidence-based medicine in emergency room. 

[00:18:18] Physicians' big egos. 

[00:22:20] TXA: The Duct Tape. 

[00:24:01] Health interventions and cost. 

[00:27:46] Subgroup analysis in studies. 

[00:31:12] Epistemology and scientific bias. 

[00:34:32] Vitamin C and its benefits. 

[00:38:17] Losing to get better.

Guest bio:

Dr. Milne is a staff physician at Staff at South Huron Hospital Association in Exeter, Ontario, Canada. He has been doing medical research for over 35 years publishing on a variety of topics. Dr. Milne has been working clinically for 25 years and is an adjunct professor in the Department of Medicine (Division of Emergency Medicine) and Department of Family Medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. He teaches evidence-based medicine, clinical epidemiology, critical appraisal and biostatistics at Western University in London, Ontario. Dr. Milne is passionate about skepticism and critical thinking. He is the creator of the knowledge translation project, The Skeptics’ Guide to Emergency Medicine (TheSGEM). Ken is married to Barb and has three amazing children.

Dr. Milne serves as a senior editor of Academic Emergency Medicine. He has no funding from the pharmaceutical or biomedical device industry. He is on faculty for the Center for Medical Education and EMRAP. Dr. Milne does partake in medical malpractice reviews and does hold a patent on a pediatric resuscitation device. Connect with Dr. Milne on his LinkedIn. 

Did ya know… 

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Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.