“Infinite ignorance versus the illusion of knowledge”

Tannice Hemming continues her new podcast Am I Allowed: Your Body, Your Baby, Your Choice, with Episode Three: “Infinite ignorance versus the illusion of knowledge”

“So many people today - and even professional scientists - seem to me like somebody who has seen thousands of trees but has never seen a forest. A knowledge of the historic and philosophical background gives that kind of independence from prejudices of his generation from which most scientists are suffering. This independence created by philosophical insight is the mark of distinction between a mere artisan or specialist and a real seeker after truth.” ― Albert Einstein

This episode deals with:

A mini, crash course in the scientific method, including:

An introduction to what different research studies are and why that’s important A brief discussion of the ethics of researching medicine and the pregnant person Evidence presentation and critical thinking

Discussing critical skills in the context of weighing up evidence when it comes to your own risk and personal medical history, Tannice navigates the limitations of the scientific method, the balance of opinion and the quest for absolute truth via experimental ethics and evidence presentation. It’s a tricky balancing act, understanding how very dry, difficult medical journal articles relate to your understanding of what’s important to you in order to then make a decision. More so when or if it conflicts with the advice you’re receiving from medical professionals, based on their opinion and National guidelines that might not always be as useful as they first seem.

With a look back at her own obstetric history and a look forward to the future, Tannice will sweep you through a mini crash course in weighing up evidence in part 2 of the “evidence gathering” section of her 7-part podcast series.

Episode Three Links Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ guidelines: How evidence-based are they? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4245184/ OptiBreech Trial: About the feasibility study: https://optibreech.uk/about-the-feasibility-study/ Critical Appraisal Skills Programme: https://critical-appraisal-skills-programme.teachable.com/ Down to Birth Podcast Episode on Breech Birth with Dr. Stu Fischbein: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4LTCDZPldOE0rqLSSP30n7?si=Bs8cvJtZTMSrg5LkUBEpjQ&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A57ohCp2ITwqa3s87FiSEyT - An American, “evidence-based straight talk on having a safe and informed birth” with Cynthia Overgard and Trisha Ludwig. “Dr. Stu Fischbein is an OBGYN in California and one of the very few providers who will attend home breech and twin birth. Breech babies make up about 6% of pregnancies at term but few women will experience a vaginal breech birth”

Episode Three Further reading/study Critical Thinking Skills Hub: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/skills-hub/critical-thinking

Info from HRA NHS for clinicians on writing Plain Language Lay Summaries: https://www.hra.nhs.uk/planning-and-improving-research/best-practice/writing-plain-language-lay-summary-your-research-findings/

Two useful websites to learn more about critical thinking - https://senseaboutscience.org/ and https://goodthinkingsociety.org/

Risk, theory, social and medical models: A critical analysis of the concept of risk in maternity care: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0266613810001178