Talk about a boob tube!
Two medical talk shows — “The Dr. Oz Show” and “The Doctors” — flunked an exam by Canadian researchers that measured just how accurate their information is.
The team found that just 46% of advice given on “The Dr. Oz Show” was backed by science, as was 63% of advice on “The Doctors.”
And 15% of recommendations given on “Oz” and 14% on “The Doctors” went against conventional evidence in journals, according to the study, published in The BMJ.
“The bottom line message is for people to be really skeptical about the recommendations made on these medical television shows,” said study co-author Christina Korowynk, associate professor of family medicine at the University of Alberta. “They should look for more balanced information to be presented, and understand that they need all of that information in order to make an informed decision.”
The researchers reviewed approximately 40 episodes of each show that aired in 2013 and studied 80 claims made by each program. They then compared those recommendations against medical literature to see if the claims were backed up.
“The Doctors” gave the Daily News this statement:
We feel strongly this study was designed to provide a provocative headline versus inform the public in an unbiased way. Our production is extremely proud of the credible information we deliver to our viewers on a daily basis and take very seriously our role in how we deliver it. Our producers and doctors all do their due diligence to make sure information provided on the show is sound, relevant and timely – often debunking the myriad of medical myths that abound in the media and across the internet.
We know our voice is one of many and that there are often different methodologies and options for treating most medical conditions. Our goal is to educate and inform by consistently offering a variety of medical points of view from multiple experts across different specialties; we will always advise that people discuss treatment options with their own physician. The Doctors was never contacted about the study or the article.
“The Dr. Oz Show” gave the following statement to the News : “‘The Dr. Oz’ Show has always endeavored to challenge the so-called conventional wisdom, reveal multiple points of view and question the status quo. The observation that some of the topics discussed on the show may differ from popular opinion or various academic analyses affirms that we are furthering a constructive dialogue about health and wellness.”
Korownyk said that because the study didn’t look at what advice people actually took, it’s unclear how much of an impact the recommendations are making. However, she advocates for “a process on these shows where the evidence is reviewed in a critical manner, and presented in a balanced, objective way so the audience can understand.”
In June, Oz testified before a Senate subcommittee about products he endorsed on the show.
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