Comments on: What Patients Don’t Know Could Hurt Drugmakers http://blog.pharmtech.com/2011/10/03/what-patients-don%e2%80%99t-know-could-hurt-drugmakers/ The blog of Pharmaceutical Technology magazine Thu, 09 May 2013 23:30:55 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: J. Bossart http://blog.pharmtech.com/2011/10/03/what-patients-don%e2%80%99t-know-could-hurt-drugmakers/comment-page-1/#comment-41043 J. Bossart Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:37:14 +0000 http://blog.pharmtech.com/?p=4763#comment-41043 Education is critical but one needs to be aware of diminishing returns. The 21% figure for vaccines and autism seems to be an obvious candidate for education and communication. In the case of the 6% figure for diabetes and vaccines I suspect that represents the limit of where education has no further impact. There are many issues ranging from the paranormal to the normal where people are set in their ways and no amount of education will move the needle. There is strong evidence that many people are not really moved by evidence. It is only when their peer group rejects or accepts a 'truth' that these people are willing to change their opinion. A classic example is the moon landing. There is ample evidence, and continuous education on this point, but there are still a large number of people who believe it was a hoax. Choose your battles. Education is critical but one needs to be aware of diminishing returns. The 21% figure for vaccines and autism seems to be an obvious candidate for education and communication. In the case of the 6% figure for diabetes and vaccines I suspect that represents the limit of where education has no further impact.

There are many issues ranging from the paranormal to the normal where people are set in their ways and no amount of education will move the needle. There is strong evidence that many people are not really moved by evidence. It is only when their peer group rejects or accepts a ‘truth’ that these people are willing to change their opinion.

A classic example is the moon landing. There is ample evidence, and continuous education on this point, but there are still a large number of people who believe it was a hoax.

Choose your battles.

]]> By: clement hicks http://blog.pharmtech.com/2011/10/03/what-patients-don%e2%80%99t-know-could-hurt-drugmakers/comment-page-1/#comment-41016 clement hicks Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:06:32 +0000 http://blog.pharmtech.com/?p=4763#comment-41016 indeed you areright many are afraid of the magic bullet. lots of conspiracy advocates out there.and half the people how know absolutely nothing,but feel impowered by the internet. indeed you areright many are afraid of the magic bullet. lots of conspiracy advocates out there.and half the people how know absolutely nothing,but feel impowered by the internet.

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