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Kerry, Roger (2017) Causation in evidence based medicine. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

Evidence based medicine (EBM) offers an established framework for the generation, interpretation, and utilisation of information in medicine and the health sciences. Central to the practice of EBM is, I argue, the notion of causation. This thesis makes an original contribution to the philosophy of EBM through a unique identification of a causal theory in EBM, and then by demonstrating a reconceptualised theory of causation better suited to evidence based person centred care. PART 1 of this thesis demonstrates that a very specific idea of causation can be witnessed within the structure of EBM. This idea is typically Humean. Through a consideration of the structure and textual narrative of EBM, it is proposed that the framework substantiates central and canonical claims. These claims relate to the core activity of EBM being the informing of clinical decision-making through the transference of causal claims from prioritised research methods. I argue that a Humean notion of causation is problematic for the central and canonical claims, thereby presenting a paradox – EBM is structured to inform clinical decision-making about causation but is inhibited from doing so by the way this very structure conceptualises causation.

In PART 2 I argue for a reconceptualisation of causation that offers some solutions to the problems identified in PART 1. This theory relates to a dispositionalist ontology and takes causes to be derived from properties of an individual and as being things that merely tend towards an effect. Causes are seen as complex and context-sensitive, and whereby a traditional Humean account sees these factors as challenges to its epistemological reading, causal dispositionalism takes them as its starting point. To present this theory, desiderata are developed from existing narratives on EBM and elements of the theory set against these. In conclusion, I argue that if medicine and health care desire a framework of practice that is both evidence based and person centred, its causal theory must be reconceptualised. Causal dispositionalism offers an encouraging reconceptualisation.

Item Type:	Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (PhD)
Supervisors:	Mumford, Stephen D. Callaghan, Patrick
Keywords:	Causation, Evidence, Medicine, Philosophy, Science, Dispositions
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BD Speculative philosophy R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Faculties/Schools:	UK Campuses > Faculty of Arts > School of Humanities
Item ID:	40494
Depositing User:	Kerry, Roger
Date Deposited:	20 Jul 2017 04:40
Last Modified:	04 May 2022 09:01
URI:	https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/40494

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