Africa can solve its own health problems. Africa needs less globalisation and more real assistance

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Date
2002
Authors
Afolabi, B.B.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMJ
Abstract
The article by Holmes and the accompanying commentaries essentially aim to explore the evidence for the efficacy and effectiveness of the psychotherapies and how this should be applied in everyday clini≠cal practice.1It is ironic that the arguments against cognitive therapy include numerous instances of idiosyncratic use of research evidence.Firstly, for example, in his commentary Bolsover selects three studies to support hisview that the evidence base for cognitive therapy is weak. We would challenge him to apply his arguments to the seven systematic reviews of cognitive therapy in the Cochrane Database and the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness.2Holmes and also Bolsover cite a single paper to suggest that cognitive therapy isless effective in the real world of clinical practice than in university based clinicaltrials. This caricature may have applied tosome trials conducted 30 years ago but isirrelevant now. To give just two examples,recent trials of cognitive therapy for chronic depression specifically recruited individualswho were depressed despite adequate trialsof pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.3Also, the Cochrane review of cognitivetherapy for schizophrenia includes exam≠ples of “real world” interventions.
Description
Scholarly publications
Keywords
psychotherapies , Clinical practice , Cognitive therapy , Chronic depression , Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE::Surgery::Obstetrics and women's diseases::Obstetrics and gynaecology
Citation
Afolabi, B.B. (2002). Africa can solve its own health problems. Africa needs less globalisation and more real assistance