Error, contradiction and reversal in science and medicine

• Published in: European journal of internal medicine Vol. 41; pp. 28 - 29
• Main Author: Coccheri, Sergio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-06-2017
• Subjects: Biomedical Research - standards; Communication; Complementary Therapies; Contraindications; Error; Evidence-Based Medicine - standards; Humans; Internal Medicine; Mass Media; Media; Patient; Practice Patterns, Physicians' - standards; Reversal; Reversal; Media; Error; Patient; Communication
• ISSN: 0953-6205; 1879-0828
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2017.03.026

Abstract Error and contradictions are not “per se” detrimental in science and medicine. Going back to the history of philosophy, Sir Francis Bacon stated that “truth emerges more readily from error than from confusion”, and recently Popper introduced the concept of an approximate temporary truth that constitutes the engine of scientific progress. In biomedical research and in clinical practice we assisted during the last decades to many overturnings or reversals of concepts and practices. This phenomenon may discourage patients from accepting ordinary medical care and may favour the choice of alternative medicine. The media often enhance the disappointment for these discrepancies. In this note I recommend to transfer to patients the concept of a confirmed and dependable knowledge at the present time. However, physicians should tolerate uncertainty and accept the idea that medical concepts and applications are subjected to continuous progression, change and displacement.