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James McCormack may hold one of the keys to educating the public about smart health care: music videos.
McCormack describes himself as pharmacist, professor, medication mythbuster and healthy skeptic at the faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia.
His past YouTube videos on “Bohemian Polypharmacy”…”Some Studies That I Like To Quote”…”Tom Hanks and Type 2 Diabetes: an evidence based discussion I would like to have”…and others…were all terrific.
But his latest, “Choosing Wisely,” may be the best yet.
“It might seem crazy what I’m about to say
Less is more can often be the best way
There are tests, treatments and procedures you don’t really need
While some are very useful, some at best mislead
Now we’re choosing wisely
Body scans annual exams can do more harm than good
We’re choosing wisely
Imaging for minor things may not give you the truth
We’re choosing wisely
Antibiotics for a cold will do nothing but make you ill
We’re choosing wisely
A routine screen for many things is often overkill
You tell me you’re worried you’ve got this and that, yeah,
Well, I truly care so don’t hold it back, yeah,
But, from what I can see you’ll be just fine, yeah,
You don’t need that test, let’s not waste our time
Here’s why
We want to (wisely) keep you – free from harm
That test result (wisely) can – cause alarm
That treatment (wisely) can make you – feel run-down
That drug (wisely) could spin your head – round and round
I said (I want to keep you) (Wisely, wisely, wisely) – free from harm
(Wisely, wisely, wisely)
For that procedure you’ll have to wear a – hospital gown
Doing nothing (wisely) can be your – lucky charm.”
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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/
Comments
Please note, comments are no longer published through this website. All previously made comments are still archived and available for viewing through select posts.
Comments are closed.
Our Comments Policy
But before leaving a comment, please review these notes about our policy.
You are responsible for any comments you leave on this site.
This site is primarily a forum for discussion about the quality (or lack thereof) in journalism or other media messages (advertising, marketing, public relations, medical journals, etc.) It is not intended to be a forum for definitive discussions about medicine or science.
We will delete comments that include personal attacks, unfounded allegations, unverified claims, product pitches, profanity or any from anyone who does not list a full name and a functioning email address. We will also end any thread of repetitive comments. We don”t give medical advice so we won”t respond to questions asking for it.
We don”t have sufficient staffing to contact each commenter who left such a message. If you have a question about why your comment was edited or removed, you can email us at feedback@healthnewsreview.org.
There has been a recent burst of attention to troubles with many comments left on science and science news/communication websites. Read “Online science comments: trolls, trash and treasure.”
The authors of the Retraction Watch comments policy urge commenters:
We”re also concerned about anonymous comments. We ask that all commenters leave their full name and provide an actual email address in case we feel we need to contact them. We may delete any comment left by someone who does not leave their name and a legitimate email address.
And, as noted, product pitches of any sort – pushing treatments, tests, products, procedures, physicians, medical centers, books, websites – are likely to be deleted. We don”t accept advertising on this site and are not going to give it away free.
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