Re: A Science for the Art of Consensus

Extract

In his recommendations regarding the conduct of consensus conferences pertaining to the efficacy of screening tests, Sackett ( 1 ) put forth three propositions meant to guide the thinking of future conference participants. I feel these propositions contain some misperceptions and that adherence to them would lead to recommendations regarding screening that could be detrimental to the public's health.

Sackett suggests the following:

I applaud the notion of outlining the scientific principles underlying the decision to recommend or not to recommend the use of a screening test for cancer. But these principles ought to be the correct ones!