What is the purpose of medical research?

In an excellent article in the Lancet today the editors ask about the purpose of medical research and what does it adds to health care? And sometimes, why was this research done at all? These questions are about the research findings that make it to the editors’ inbox.  The editors note that in a 2009 Viewpoint, Iain Chalmers and Paul Glasziou estimated that 85% of research is wasteful or inefficient, with deficiencies in four main areas: is the research question relevant for clinicians or patients? Are design and methods appropriate? Is the full report accessible? Is it unbiased and clinically meaningful?  The editors note that much research is results from funders focusing on the need for rapid results, often within 2 to 3 years as is typical for most politically funded programs where funders want to take credit for the results.  The editors suggest that Academic institutions should assess and reward researchers on a long-term basis, which will make it much easier to assess the true and meaningful impact of their research. Finally, researchers must remind themselves why they have chosen their career. They must do more to defend an environment conducive to research that is for the benefit and health of people worldwide, not merely as one element of economic policy making.  Comment: it is always nice have of the agree with you as many weblogs focus on the inappropriateness of much published clinical research that adds little or nothing to our knowledge.
Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG - Category: Epidemiologists Authors: Tags: epidemiology policy Prevention research Technology Source Type: blogs