Calling into Question the Efficacy of Evidence-Based Medicine: Is It Always the Best Approach? Is That Really the Placebo Effect?
Calling into Question the Efficacy of Evidence-Based Medicine: Is It Always the Best Approach? Is That Really the Placebo Effect?
Author: Yoshiro Fujii
Affiliation: Shin Kobe Dental Clinic, Kobe City, Japan
Abstract
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has been widely accepted as the standard for modern medical practice. However, this paper questions whether EBM is always the best approach and whether the placebo effect is truly what it is assumed to be. The author argues that some alternative treatments, dismissed as mere placebos, may have genuine therapeutic effects.
Keywords
Evidence-Based Medicine, Placebo Effect, Alternative Treatment, Clinical Practice, Medical Philosophy
Introduction
EBM relies on clinical trials and statistical data to guide medical decisions. While this approach has significantly improved healthcare, it may also limit the acceptance of treatments that do not fit within its framework. This paper explores whether EBM should be reconsidered in certain cases.
Critique of Evidence-Based Medicine
The reliance on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in EBM excludes many alternative treatments that may be effective but lack large-scale statistical validation. Additionally, the placebo effect, often cited as an explanation for alternative medicine's efficacy, may itself involve real physiological mechanisms that are not yet fully understood.
Discussion
Many medical treatments historically deemed ineffective due to the lack of EBM validation were later found to have significant benefits. The assumption that all non-EBM treatments are placebos may be flawed. A more flexible approach to medical treatment assessment is needed.
Conclusion
This paper calls for a broader perspective in medical research and practice, where treatments outside the EBM framework are given fair consideration. More studies should explore the mechanisms behind the so-called placebo effect and alternative therapies.
Full Paper
For the full paper, visit: https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=55272
