Episode Summary
In this in-depth conversation, I welcome Dr. Ellen Stothard, PhD, a sleep researcher with expertise in integrative physiology, neuroscience, and data analytics. Ellen shares her unconventional journey from psychology student to sleep science researcher to clinical data specialist, offering a unique perspective on what "evidence-based" really means and how clinicians can become everyday researchers.
Key Topics Covered
Ellen's Journey
- From psychology and French double major to a PhD in sleep and circadian rhythms
- The famous "Camping Study" and how natural light synchronizes our bodies
- Why academia wasn't the right fit and finding purpose in clinical data
- Building Rebus Health: an integrative sleep medicine clinic
Understanding Evidence-Based Practice
- What "evidence-based" actually means (and what it doesn't)
- The difference between correlation and causation
- Why negative findings are crucial but rarely published
- Real-world evidence vs. randomized controlled trials
Research Methodology Demystified
- Small, controlled studies (N=30) vs. large observational studies (N=50,000)
- Understanding statistical significance and what research can (and can't) tell you
- The importance of understanding study assumptions and limitations
- Why averages hide responders and non-responders
Clinical Practice as Research
- How busy practitioners can gather research-quality data
- The power of before-and-after documentation
- Why consistency matters more than perfection
- Overcoming IRB fears: private IRBs and retrospective chart reviews
Early Intervention vs. Watchful Waiting
- The ethics of withholding treatment when harm is suspected
- Using "natural experiments" from patients who delayed treatment
- Why inaction carries responsibility too
Breaking Down Silos
- Why dentists, sleep physicians, and researchers need to collaborate
- The psychology of professional resistance to change
- Creating bridges between academia and private practice
- Speaking each other's "language" across disciplines
Memorable Quotes
-"The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence."
-"You can only call it evidence-based if you know what the science says AND what it doesn't say."
-"If you're not looking, you won't necessarily find it."
-"We can't just say 'okay, you feel better, bye.' We need to understand: you came in, you tested this way, we did something, it made you better. What happened?"
-"Your clinical data IS evidence. You have the ability to generate the evidence yourselves."
Practical Takeaways for Clinicians
- Start gathering before-and-after data consistently
- Use validated questionnaires when possible (or create standardized questions)
- Document outcomes at regular intervals
- Consider hiring data analysts or partnering with graduate students
- Explore private IRBs for faster, easier research approval
- Retrospective chart reviews can be powerful research tools
- Looking at your outcomes makes you a better clinician
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