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> "Allopathic" is a term used by some medical cranks to refer to real medicine It's just a synonym for mainstream medicine, but one that specifically highlight

> "Allopathic" is a term used by some medical cranks to refer to real medicine It's just a synonym for mainstream medicine, but one that specifically highlights the assumptions underlying mainstream medicine. It's not a great term, but it's probably the least worst alternative that exists... Other terms like evidence-based medicine, western medicine, modern medicine, etc., are inherently misleading or biased. E.g. the term 'evidence-based medicine' presupposes the idea that mainstream medicine is mostly or entirely based on evidence, 'modern medicine' presupposed the idea that everything outside of mainstream medicine is inherently inferior, the phrase 'western medicine' is hegemonic, etc.

JoeAltmaier 12y ago
Another post on HN yesterday shows that 'allopathic' medicine is deeply fractured. Most follow the 'pastoral care' model where folks are kept comfortable in a recreation of their normal environment. Instead of modeling different care regimens and using statistics to choose treatments with the best outcome. Individual medical professionals tend to use personal experience alone in guiding their decisions. Medical researchers struggle to convince them to try varied regimens so they can measure and prove what is best. This schism is slowing down adoption of good treatment, as well as enshrining pointless protocols far beyond the time they are known to be ineffective.
Nursie 12y ago
>> It's just a synonym for mainstream medicine No, it's a term used by cranks who are usually promoting a totally evidence-free 'alternative'. Everything outside mainstream medicine is inferior. It hasn't been well tested (a lot of modern medicine is very well supported by evidence, but not all). It hasn't been shown to work at all, it's superstition and supposition. This applies as equally to modern nonsense like homeopathy as it does to older traditions like traditional chinese medicine. Modern medicine is flawed, and these flaws need to be continually found and addressed. This does not mean alt med is in any way valid.

JoeAltmaier 12y ago

Another post on HN yesterday shows that 'allopathic' medicine is deeply fractured. Most follow the 'pastoral care' model where folks are kept comfortable in a recreation of their normal environment. Instead of modeling different care regimens and using statistics to choose treatments with the best outcome. Individual medical professionals tend to use personal experience alone in guiding their decisions. Medical researchers struggle to convince them to try varied regimens so they can measure and prove what is best. This schism is slowing down adoption of good treatment, as well as enshrining pointless protocols far beyond the time they are known to be ineffective.

Nursie 12y ago

>> It's just a synonym for mainstream medicine No, it's a term used by cranks who are usually promoting a totally evidence-free 'alternative'. Everything outside mainstream medicine is inferior. It hasn't been well tested (a lot of modern medicine is very well supported by evidence, but not all). It hasn't been shown to work at all, it's superstition and supposition. This applies as equally to modern nonsense like homeopathy as it does to older traditions like traditional chinese medicine. Modern medicine is flawed, and these flaws need to be continually found and addressed. This does not mean alt med is in any way valid.