The Case for Being a Medical Conservative (Not Always!)

In their editorial, Mandrola et al in The American Journal of Medicine make a strong case for their position of infinite faith in evidence-based medical practice.1 Respectfully, I disagree. Absence of evidence is not equivalent to evidence of absence. Ancient Greek philosophers held the view that medicine was an art with peculiar characteristics; they called medicine a stochastic art. A doctor might treat a patient according to the “book” (of evidence-based medicine); yet the patient may die. Another patient might be treated deviating from the book, and yet the patient might regain full health.