No one has all of the answers when it comes to menopause care, and that’s simply because there isn't decades-worth of rigorous data on women’s health to lean on. But that doesn’t mean the data that is available can’t guide treatment, that women should have to wait until more comes along, or that healthcare providers don’t have a responsibility to act on the best-available evidence. Midi’s evidence-based treatment protocols are rooted in exactly that, and are constantly re-evaluated and amended to keep up with the latest research. #menopause #perimenopause #womenshealth #womenshealthresearch #evidencebasedtreatment
CEO/ Founder of Midi Health, revolutionizing healthcare for women at midlife - to relieve their symptoms and support their wellbeing.
Recently, inspired by the book "Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity" by Dr. Peter Attia and Bill Gifford, I've been reflecting on the distinction between between being evidence-based and evidence-informed, and how this applies to menopause care and women's longevity. In the book, Dr. Attia introduces the concept of Medicine 3.0, advocating for a shift towards preventative medicine rather than merely reactive treatments (Medicine 2.0). While Medicine 2.0 relies heavily on established evidence from extensive clinical trials, Medicine 3.0 suggests a more agile, evidence-informed approach. This approach acknowledges that we may not always have decades of rigorous data supporting every decision, especially in emerging fields or novel interventions. In the context of our care at Midi Health, this debate resonates deeply, as we often face similar dilemmas when guiding providers. Often, when we ask, "What should we do now?" there isn't always a prescribed set of actions because we may not yet have an extensive evidence base for this particular insight or pattern in the data, especially because there has not been enough research or data on women's health. So what does it mean to be evidence-informed? It means leveraging existing research, case studies, contextual understanding, and our own professional experience to guide decisions. It's about piecing together these "breadcrumbs" of evidence to formulate intelligent strategies, even in the absence of a robust, traditional evidence base. Dr. Attia's analogy of breadcrumbs perfectly illustrates this concept. Should we wait decades for comprehensive data to prove the connection between estrogen and dementia or estrogen and heart disease, or should we act based on the best available evidence now? Should we restrict medications like GLP1s only to those who are obese, when the research is emerging on their benefit for alcohol cessation or inflamation? The latter approach, being evidence-informed, requires careful consideration and a willingness to adapt as new evidence emerges. In essence, being evidence-informed doesn't mean disregarding data integrity or making decisions recklessly. Rather, it involves a nuanced understanding of the available evidence and a proactive stance towards refining our strategies over time. As we navigate the complexities of women's healthcare, I am hoping we can embrace this distinction and remember the power of being evidence-informed. It's about using every available resource—research, case studies, and professional expertise—to make informed, impactful decisions.