These results are especially surprising considering that the topics (COPD, infarction, stroke, HIV/AIDS) are relatively well understood. I am constantly amazed that, e.g. fellow doctors and allied health workers blame colds on cold weather.
Another example: research has repeatedly shown that wounds heal faster when moist, yet I frequently hear nurses and doctors advise a 'dry dressing', and are appear satisfied when wounds dry up.
There is clearly a body of 'knowledge' which is deeply ingrained in the subconscious and resistant to revision by research findings!
Mythical 'knowledge' common to health workers
19 June 2007
These results are especially surprising considering that the topics (COPD, infarction, stroke, HIV/AIDS) are relatively well understood. I am constantly amazed that, e.g. fellow doctors and allied health workers blame colds on cold weather.
Another example: research has repeatedly shown that wounds heal faster when moist, yet I frequently hear nurses and doctors advise a 'dry dressing', and are appear satisfied when wounds dry up.
There is clearly a body of 'knowledge' which is deeply ingrained in the subconscious and resistant to revision by research findings!
Competing interests
None