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Richard Smith: The “micro-macro problem” and the difficulty of using evidence to make policy
In this BMJ blog, Richard Smith discusses the challenges and process of getting research evidence into policy and practise:
From the blog - Doctors commonly complain that they consider evidence before they treat a patient, but politicians and policy makers don’t use the same rigour when making changes to health services. Indeed, Margaret McCartney—GP, BMJ columnist, and now stand up comedian—calls for this in her show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival: “What do we want: evidence based policy making? When do we want it? After systematic review and independent cost-effectiveness analysis.” But McCartney and others (including me at times) are falling into a common philosophical trap, failing to recognise the 'micro-macro problem.'
You can read the full blog by clicking here.