http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/329/7480/1473 Amusing, and with a lot of truth, this article give TIC instructions to physicians on how they can resist changing their practice....as well as laughing, I thought to myself 'hmm........' on more than one occasion. Here's a sample: Attack the data When provided with new information that may require a change in practice: * Firstly, diss the source. No one expects you really to believe information from sources outside your specialty or geographical area. * Secondly, question the validity of the information. Every study or report contains some loophole in its fabric, however small, that can be snagged and used to unravel the validity of the whole study. Use the common logical ploy that holds that if any aspect of the study is imperfect, the entire study results must be wrong. * Thirdly, question the applicability to your patients. Studies are done "out there" and can't possibly reflect the unique nature of your practice. This technique is especially useful when data from large studies contradict our impressions gleaned from personal experience with a few patients. This is one of the reasons why any training in bf support *has* to allow for some debriefing of personal experience of breastfeeding and contact with breastfeeding clients. People (I include myself!) may have a hard time believing stuff that doesn't chime with their own personal experience, even people who have had some scientific or medical training. Heather Welford Neil NCT bfc, tutor, UK *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html