Selection bias in using data from one population to another: Common pitfalls in the interpretation of medical literature

Paul Froom*, Jack Froom

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

The prevalence, course and prognosis of diseases in patients referred to tertiary medical centers frequently differ from those treated in primary care settings. Extrapolation of findings from one population to another may therefore be unwarranted. Other factors that contribute to misinterpretation of medical literature include failure to distinguish statistical from clinical significance and advocacy of medical interventions prior to adequate clinical trials.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)255-259
Number of pages5
JournalTheoretical Medicine
Volume13
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1992
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • primary care
  • referrals
  • selection bias

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