[olsen]

(this link accesses the pdf of the entire book)

http://www.jameslindlibrary.org/pdf/...treatments.pdf

Testing Treatments: Better Research for Better Health Care

Imogen Evans practised and lectured in medicine in Canada and the UK
before turning to medical journalism at The Lancet.

Hazel Thornton, after undergoing routine mammography, was invited
to join a clinical trial, but the inadequate patient information led to her
refusal. However, it also encouraged her advocacy for public involvement
in research to achieve outcomes relevant to patients. She has written and
spoken extensively on this topic.

Iain Chalmers practised medicine in the UK and Palestine before becoming
a health services researcher and directing the National Perinatal
Epidemiology Unit and then the UK Cochrane Centre.

(abstracted form introduction
"...This is an important book for anyone concerned about their own or
their family’s health, or the politics of health. Patients are often seen as the
recipients of healthcare, rather than participants. The task ahead is as
much for us, the lay public in whose name medicine is practised and from
whose purse medical practitioners are paid, as for doctors and medical
researchers. If we are passive consumers of medicine we will never drive
up standards. If we prefer simplistic answers we will get pseudoscience. If
we do not promote the rigorous testing of treatments we will get pointless
and sometimes dangerous treatment along with the stuff that really works.
This book contains a manifesto for improving things, and patients are
at its heart. But it is an important book for doctors, medical students, and
researchers too – all would benefit from its lessons..."