Sceptical medicos Justin Coleman and Liz Sturgiss take on a world of pain.

What doesn’t work for back pain? (Hint: most things)

Are opioids taking over the world?

We look at various cognitive biases when doctors make decisions. Liz tries to persuade Justin that we all want to be normal. Then she spoils her argument by pulling out a toy plane.

Refs:

Efficacy of paracetamol for acute low-back pain: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial Lancet, 2014

Paracetamol for low back pain Cochrane Review, 2016

Innovative pain therapy with a fixed combination of prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone: a large observational study under conditions of daily practice. Current Medical Research and Opinion, 2010.

Cognitive biases (Wikipedia list)

Targin promo, as described in the podcast:

OxyContin ad obscuring Justin’s brilliant quotes in Australian Doctor

Gratuitous photo demonstrating the Cheerleader Effect

Dr Neko Richiko liked the cognitive biases so much, she wrote it down. In VERY neat handwriting!