Evidence

Self-Diagnosis: A Discursive Systematic Review of the Medical Literature

Annemarie Jutel | September 15, 2010

This thematic review of clinical articles from the PubMed database evaluates the beliefs about, and discursive construction of, self-diagnosis from a medical perspective.

The Journal of Participatory Medicine: Setting Its Sights on a Community of Practice

Kurt Stange | October 21, 2009

The Journal of Participatory Medicine (JoPM) seeks to foster a community of cooperative health care. The opportunity is to create a forum for recognizing commonality while sharing differences. Another journal, the Annals of Family Medicine, also launched in the information age, provides some parallels for engaging diverse constituencies in an international transdisciplinary dialogue around scientific papers, essays, reviews and commentary. JoPM has great potential to be a gathering place for those interested in interactive approaches to improving health care and health.

Reviews, Vol. 1, 2009

The Field-Building Role of a Journal About Participatory Medicine and Health, and the Evidence Needed

Lawrence W. Green | October 21, 2009

A journal with “participatory medicine” in its name will challenge health care organizations, practitioners, care givers, and patients to examine their comportment and relationships. It will also challenge the scientists of medicine, health services, and patient education to re-examine their research methods and designs, because the participatory process will not lend itself easily to conventions of randomized controlled trials. The Journal will also be challenged by the shadow of impact factor scores with their bias toward academic rather than practical impact, and the need to report more fully on external validity. These challenges appear to be welcomed by the editors of this new journal.

Reviews, Vol. 1, 2009

Patient-Driven Research: Rich Opportunities and Real Risks

Gilles Frydman | October 21, 2009

Since the Internet’s earliest days, patients have used online resources to share experiences, learn about diseases and treatments, and become advocates. A newer phenomenon has seen a growing number of online communities evolve into centers of patient-driven research (PDR)—especially for orphan diseases. Thanks to Health 2.0 capabilities, various models of PDR are being developed, usually involving methods of data collection and aggregation that can eclipse RCTs as meaningful evidence. A radical shift from the classical research model, this may result in accelerated findings and dissemination at a fraction of the cost of classic medical research.

Case Studies, Vol. 1, 2009

A Seat at the Table: A Research Advocate’s Journey

Musa Mayer | October 21, 2009

The story of one patient advocate and author who moved beyond her personal experience with breast cancer to focus on helping women with metastatic disease, which in turn has led to her further training and involvement with drug development, regulatory issues and other research issues.

Reviews, Vol. 1, 2009

Building a Research Agenda for Participatory Medicine

David C. Kibbe and Joseph C. Kvedar | October 21, 2009

The emerging phenomenon of participatory medicine seems to lead to improved health outcomes, but this is not yet supported by a robust evidence base. Fundamental questions about the participation of individuals—sick and well—remain unanswered. Only through the convergence of many diverse and novel modes of research can the richness and complexity of participatory medicine be made workable…