When Medical 'Myths' Outlast the Evidence
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Many physicians still hold beliefs despite the existence of clear evidence that they are incorrect, said a presenter at the annual meeting of the American College of Physicians. These long-held pieces of dogma – or "medical myths" – were engraved during training or early in the careers of many physicians, and are difficult to overcome, noted Douglas Paauw, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Washington, Seattle.
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@monami-s A myth persists that people with a shellfish allergy could have an allergic reaction when a contrast agent is used for a scan, he said. This belief arose, because fish and shellfish contain iodine, and allergic reactions to seafood are fairly common, and contrast agents contain iodine, too, Paauw said. The belief is widespread, with 65% of radiologists and 88.9% of interventional cardiologists saying they ask about seafood or shellfish allergies before administering contrast. And a third of radiologists and 50% of cardiologists said they would withhold contrast media or recommend a premedication for patients with such an allergy.