((Ed. Note: “Evidence-based medicine” is a new term for the goal of good medicine for at least one century. Figure out what does the most good for the largest number of people. Put resources there first.)

The storm of protest following the U. S. Preventive Services Task Force about its revised mammogram recommendations in November was more than justified.

The recommendation said that mammograms were of benefit to women 50-74, a statement which ran counter to thousands of messages from advocacy groups and other medical experts as well. Forty has been the start date for mammogram screenings for many years.

If “evidence-based medicine” is to become the standard in the U.S., its advocates must accept responsibility for showing people how the evidence works.Recommendations cannot be delivered in a way which scares patients and which also runs counter to recommendations from trusted sources, such as the American Cancer Society.

Unfortunately, the lack of skill  to date at communicating about evidence-based medicine in this case, and others, may lead to the term’s being associated with indifference to patient concerns, or worse, it could be seen as a tool for draconian rationing of care.

How could the public think otherwise based on what the panel said? They don’t know these experts. These experts have no trust capital to draw upon with the American people. It is past time for them to start building some.

Few Americans even know about, much less understand, what this task force does. They have worked quietly for the most part.

It is not enough to drop the task force data on the table and leave the room. In effect, that is what the panel members did.

Either these experts are poor at communication or the task force caved in to pressure.

It is hard to say which.

Physicians are famously poor communicators as a professional class. There are plenty of exceptions. Still there are not enough doctors who can make important information clear to patients without dumbing it down.

Still, when reading the recommendation as issued, it seemed crystal clear that they were making a change in the recommendations, not a suggestion.

For the moment, it appears that the storm is over.

Boston Globe

“Women in their 40s should start mammograms when they want, according to members of a US panel who said their earlier recommendation on breast cancer screening was “poorly worded.’’

“The guidance was misunderstood, and its communication made it seem the panel advised that screenings weren’t needed for patients younger than 50, physicians with the Preventive Services Task Force told a House hearing yesterday while the Senate debated an overhaul of US health care. The panel said it meant to say that screening is more effective for those ages 50 to 74. (Emphasis added)