Text 1: Health policy researcher Dr. Anna Wright supports evidence-based medicine. "Clinical decisions should follow rigorous research," Wright argues. "Randomized controlled trials provide reliable guidance. Physician intuition varies too much to be trusted."
Text 2: Medical practitioner Dr. James Sullivan values clinical judgment. "Every patient is unique," Sullivan contends. "RCTs establish population averages, but individuals often differ from averages. Experienced clinicians integrate evidence with patient-specific factors trials cannot capture."
Based on the texts, what limitation of Wright's approach does Sullivan identify?
That research cannot be conducted ethically
That population-level evidence may not apply to individual patient circumstances
That clinical decisions are never made
That randomization is statistically impossible
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. Sullivan notes "RCTs establish population averages, but individuals often differ." Wright's evidence applies to populations; Sullivan asks how to treat specific patients who may not match averages.
- Evidence: Sullivan: "individuals often differ from averages."
- Reasoning: Population evidence requires individual application judgment.
- Conclusion: Generalized evidence may not fit particular cases.
Choice A is incorrect because ethics isn't Sullivan's concern. Choice C is incorrect because both discuss clinical decisions. Choice D is incorrect because statistical methods aren't questioned.