“Scientists may disagree over what constitutes controversial findings. Any component of the scientific study including the data, hypothesis, ethical considerations, and applications may come under review (Berkley.edu, n.d.). ARNP would be remiss not to approach the role of media in legitimizing controversial research. For a while, the politicization of hydroxychloroquine, fueled by social media and others, overruled evidence-based science. An article entitled Numerous Studies Demonstrate Effectiveness of Early COVID Treatment was located on the Americas Frontline Doctors medial website claiming that the use of two controversial medications, hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, are effective in preventing and treating the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) (Heller, 2021). The article claims research studies indicate that the use of hydroxychloroquine, which has been shown to be a safe drug, as part of a treatment protocol is linked to an 84% decrease in hospitalizations and a 75% reduction in death of high-risk COVID-19 patients (Heller, 2021). The article further claims that research studies indicate that the use of ivermectin has been linked to a 69% improvement when used as a COVID-19 treatment and an 86% improvement when utilized prophylactically (Heller, 2021). Although ivermectin has been considered a safe and effective treatment for parasitic infestation, the majority of information related to the efficacy and safety of ivermectin as it relates to COVID-19 was obtained via two small, randomized control trials of ivermectin versus a placebo, wherein the studies had significant shortcomings related to their methodologies (Schellack et al., 2021). Even given the shortcomings, the studies showed no clear improvements in clinical outcomes and no viral load reductions (Schellack et al., 2021). Study results claiming the safety and efficacy of hydroxychloroquine concerning COVID-19 have been shown to be severely limited as a result of poor study designs and the presence of study bias (Halm, 202). Moreover, many studies indicate that there is no difference in COVID-19 mortality rates when treated with hydroxychloroquine (Halm, 2020).” initial assignment Conduct a web-based search for a media article with controversial findings. Examine the validity of the findings-including statistics. Construct a list of advantages and disadvantages. Reference Understanding Science (.). What controversy: Is a controversy misrepresented or blown out of proportion? Halm, M. A. (2020). COVID-19 and antimalarial drugs: Harms outweigh benefits. American Journal of Critical Care, 29(6), 489492. Heller, D. (2021). Numerous studies demonstrate effectiveness of early COVID treatment. Schellack, N., Padayachee, N., & Schellack, G. (2021). Ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19– friend or foe? Professional Nursing Today, 25(1), 611. Sima, A. R. (2021). Hydroxychloroquines probable protective effect in liver injury among the COVID-19 patients. Middle East Journal of Digestive Diseases, 13(1), 8081.
