reposted from Jan 2012 - worth reading - Editorial Commentary - Maurie Markman - Clinical Oncology News - Meaningful Responses To ‘We-Know-the-Answer’ Syndrome

".... The following three examples, all drawn from the field of epithelial ovarian cancer management, illustrate the dangers of simply accepting conventional wisdom, and in my opinion, serve as excellent examples of the importance of critical thinking when evaluating this type of proclamation...." (3 examples )


"Similar examples can be found in all areas of clinical oncology where conventional wisdom and “expert opinion” have inappropriately trumped the essential process of critical thinking. Unfortunately, this is not surprising: Critical thinking often is quite difficult, particularly when the outcome rejects a strong belief in some particular conventional wisdom that has been passed on by “senior leaders” or “experts in a field.”"

"....... Stressing the dangers of nonrigorously tested, overly simplistic or nonbiologically based beliefs often is not the way to win popularity contests among your peers (or within professional organizations), who may accept the conventional wisdom as being factually correct. But for those who appropriately, and even courageously, refuse to be swept up by the superficial allure and comfort of conventional wisdom, who understand that genuine progress in oncologic outcomes demands constant inquiry into our existing interpretations of biological systems and current medical practice, it is important to remember it is our patients who are the beneficiaries of our efforts........"