A journalist wrote me: “Ack! Another rah rah rah robotic surgery article, this time in the Times.”
The blogging surgeon known as the Skeptical Scalpel tweeted:
ICYMI. Robotic surgery puff piece in the NY Times. http://is.gd/EjhZbe
What draws their ire?
A New York Times piece, “When Robotic Surgery Leaves Just a Scratch.”
It discusses some new robotic surgery approaches, including in children. It’s interesting. It clearly offers some potential.
But the story includes no data, no evidence of efficacy. Just generic, fawning, unquestioning promotion, either from the words of the writer or from quotes from true-believer-surgeons – such as:
Finally, toward the end, the story states:
Robotic systems, though, have yet to show that they are always worth the extra money they cost.
That cost, as the story explains, is $1.3 million to $2.2 million with potentially $60,000 or more for the “add-on” device featured.
Gee, it might be nice to attach some data to that kind of price tag and to the claims above. Or doesn’t the Grey Lady consider that news that’s “fit to print”?
Just go to the Skeptical Scalpel’s blog and enter “robotic surgery” in the search box to see some of the evidence questions one might raise.
Opinions on other issues in news, journals, PR, advertising, marketing
Puleeeeease... this 'game changer' weight loss drug causes more nausea and vomiting than a placebo. Some game, some change. My friend Gary would spank you for using the eighth word medical reporters should never, ever use. @garyschwitzer @thackerpd
https://www.healthnewsreview.org/toolkit/just-journalists-writing-tips-case-studies/7-words-and-more-you-shouldnt-use-in-medical-news/ https://twitter.com/OttawaCitizen/status/1361426796126830597
A scary @statnews Op-Ed warns that govt attempts to rein in Pharma may cut off access to "life-changing" drugs.
It takes @garyschwitzer to let us know: the author spent 10 years as Pfizer's public-policy chief. https://twitter.com/garyschwitzer/status/1360325022578053123
.@TranspariMED criticizes STAT op-ed for not disclosing pharma funding of author’s institute - similar to criticism we’ve made of STAT op-eds in the past. @transparify @ThinkTankWatch @icer_review https://www.healthnewsreview.org/2021/02/transparency-watchdog-criticizes-stats-non-disclosure-on-pro-pharma-op-ed/
Skeptical Scalpel ?
Comments
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Walter Lipman
November 26, 2012 at 10:30 amFrom the Skeptical Scalpel’s blog, this gem:
http://goo.gl/ANfOo
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