Does big data require a methodological change in medical research?

Background: Use of big data is becoming increasingly popular in medical research. Since big data-based projects differ notably from classical research studies, both in terms of scope and quality, a debate is apt as to whether big data require new approaches to scientific reasoning different from those established in statistics and philosophy of science.

Main Text: The progressing digitalization of our societies generates vast amounts of data that also become available for medical research.

Roles and Responsibilities in the Provision of Accredited Continuing Medical Education/Continuing Professional Development.

The Cologne Consensus Conference 2015 has focused on "Providers in accredited CME[continuing medical education]/CPD [continuing professional development]". As an outcome of the CCC 2015, the authors of this paper, who were part of the faculty, propose a contemporary definition of the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in the different stages of planning, delivery and evaluation of CME/CPD.

Effect of specialist palliative care services on quality of life in adults with advanced incurable illness in hospital, hospice, or community settings: systematic review and meta-analysis.

 To assess the effect of specialist palliative care on quality of life and additional outcomes relevant to patients in those with advanced illness. Systematic review with meta-analysis. Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, and trial registers searched up to July 2016.