Dr. Mehmet Oz, better known as Dr. Oz or "America's Doctor," comes under scrutiny this week as researchers from Canada's University of Alberta publish a study that proves less than one-third of his medical suggestions are based in scientific fact.
The on-air Dr. is a seller of miracles for many of his 2.9 million viewers. But do the miracles actually exist? The proof is nowhere to be found. A team of medical researchers led by Christina Korownyk, an associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine in the University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, concludes that Dr. Oz's show, along with one of its competitors "The Doctors", are best meant for entertainment and not medical advice. The research found that not only were the recommendations without basis but believers were further endangered by the common practice of not providing all the necessary information such has associated costs and risks. Within the sample episodes (aired between January 2013 and April 2013), Dr. Oz provided this very relevant information less than 12% of the time.
Dr. Oz's advice and promises landed him an audience with the US Senate in June of this year. During his hearing, he admitted to recognizing that his recommendations don't typically, "have the scientific muster to present as fact." He also stated that he is comfortable in the fact that while that may be the case, he personally believes in all his recommendations and doesn't advise his audience any differently than he advises his own family--miracle products and all.
The Dr. may see little credibility returned to him for his awareness of the fact that his medical advice is more often than not, not based in science. But, does that take away from the fact that he neglects to share with his audience that these recommendations are his own opinions and without further research they won't have near enough information to make an informed decision? All those in league with the criticism and recent publication say not.
The study, which can be found in the British Medical Journal, proves that viewers should practice skepticism when enjoying medical talk shows because where the entertainment value and proposed benefits are high, the credibility is extremely low.
