The Herd Mentality: Strength in Numbers, and Combining Studies.

Abstract

Although clinicians may have the best of intentions in terms of keeping up with the medical literature, the overwhelming volume of published studies and the press of clinical responsibilities can make this difficult. A medical version of the Reader's Digest(©) would thus be a valuable asset. This is something of the role that systematic reviews and meta-analyses play: synthesis and summary of the information in the literature.