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In reply to the discussion: Half of Dr. Oz’s medical advice is baseless or wrong, study says [View all]pnwmom
(108,976 posts)to be baseless or wrong?
Without context, it's hard to know how much worse Dr. Oz's advise is than most practicing doctors -- such as the many doctors who prescribe antibiotics for viral infections.
Another example. My elderly mother was in rehab after a surgical procedure, and she was experiencing symptoms of delirium. The MD associated with the rehab facility recommended that she be put on an anti-psychotic, "to help her sleep better." It turns out that anti-psychotics are commonly given to nursing home patients, even though the FDA has given a "black box warning" against them being prescribed to elderly patients with her symptoms. Why do so many doctors prescribe it anyway? Probably because of the huge marketing campaigns of the drug companies -- campaigns that have brought them heavy fines from the FDA.
Research has also shown that SSRIs help people with serious depression, but for mild or moderate depression, SSRIs work no better than a placebo. Doctors prescribe them anyway.
I'm willing to believe Dr. Oz is giving out a lot of bad advice. But I'm not convinced that he is such a big exception.