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The social and cultural shaping of medical evidence: Case studies from pharmaceutical research and obstetric science

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  • De Vries, Raymond
  • Lemmens, Trudo

Abstract

Most critiques of evidence-based medicine (EBM) focus on the scientific shortcomings of the technique. Social scientists are more likely to criticize EBM for it ideological biases, a criticism that makes sociological sense but is difficult to substantiate. Using data from our studies of (1) the influence of pharmaceutical companies on the conduct and reporting of clinical trials, and (2) obstetric science in the Netherlands (where nearly one-third of births occur at home) we show how the evidence of evidence-based medicine is shaped by forces both structural and cultural. The threats to objective evidence are many, and, if EBM is to be true to its own principles, it must take these threats into account.

Suggested Citation

  • De Vries, Raymond & Lemmens, Trudo, 2006. "The social and cultural shaping of medical evidence: Case studies from pharmaceutical research and obstetric science," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(11), pages 2694-2706, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:62:y:2006:i:11:p:2694-2706
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    Cited by:

    1. Perrotta, Manuela & Geampana, Alina, 2020. "The trouble with IVF and randomised control trials: Professional legitimation narratives on time-lapse imaging and evidence-informed care," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    2. Pavlova, Milena & Hendrix, Marijke & Nouwens, Elvira & Nijhuis, Jan & van Merode, Godefridus, 2009. "The choice of obstetric care by low-risk pregnant women in the Netherlands: Implications for policy and management," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 93(1), pages 27-34, November.
    3. Sobo, Elisa J., 2017. "Parent use of cannabis for intractable pediatric epilepsy: Everyday empiricism and the boundaries of scientific medicine," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 190-198.
    4. Shelly Jun & Kelsea Drall & Brittany Matenchuk & Cara McLean & Charlene Nielsen & Chinwe V. Obiakor & Aaron Van der Leek & Anita Kozyrskyj, 2018. "Sanitization of Early Life and Microbial Dysbiosis," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-9, December.
    5. Street, Jackie M. & Rogers, Wendy A. & Israel, Mark & Braunack-Mayer, Annette J., 2010. "Credit where credit is due? Regulation, research integrity and the attribution of authorship in the health sciences," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(9), pages 1458-1465, May.
    6. Unruh, Lynn & Rice, Thomas & Rosenau, Pauline Vaillancourt & Barnes, Andrew J., 2016. "The 2013 cholesterol guideline controversy: Would better evidence prevent pharmaceuticalization?," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(7), pages 797-808.
    7. Sismondo, Sergio, 2008. "How pharmaceutical industry funding affects trial outcomes: Causal structures and responses," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(9), pages 1909-1914, May.
    8. Mykhalovskiy, Eric & Armstrong, Pat & Armstrong, Hugh & Bourgeault, Ivy & Choiniere, Jackie & Lexchin, Joel & Peters, Suzanne & White, Jerry, 2008. "Qualitative research and the politics of knowledge in an age of evidence: Developing a research-based practice of immanent critique," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(1), pages 195-203, July.

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