ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with how to sift and analyse clinical evidence and really make sense of it: it shows why people are right not to purchase homeopathy at this time. It explains with reference to trials of homeopathy, and purchasers are quite right not to include homeopathy on a list of effective treatments. Clinical trials, Bradford Hill pointed out in the 1940s, are only required where the effects of treatment are not obvious. The basic tenet for the ethical conduct of a clinical trial is captured in the word 'equipoise'. Equipoise means that observers are completely unsure as to which of two treatments is better. Meta-analysis is the powerful statistical tool for combining studies. The meta-analysis shows that the chances of survival are improved by giving this blood thinning medicine. Decision analysis could help in the design of clinical trials. A revolution in the interpretation of clinical trials is imminent.
