Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 12-23 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Volume | 226 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 3 Jan 2022 |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2022 |
Abstract
Causation and causal inference are of utmost importance in obstetrics and gynecology. In many clinical situations, causal reasoning is involved in etiological explanations, diagnostic considerations, and conversations about prognosis. In this paper, we offer an overview of the philosophical accounts of causation that may not be familiar to, but still be appreciated by, the busy clinician. In our discussion, we do not try to simplify what is a rather complex range of ideas. We begin with an introduction to some important basic ideas, followed by 2 sections on the metaphysical and epistemological aspects of causality, which offer a more detailed discussion of some of its specific philosophical facets, using examples from obstetrical and gynecologic research and practice along the way. We hope our discussion will help deepen the thinking and discourse about causation and causal inference in gynecology and obstetrics.
Keywords
- Bradford Hill postulates, causal inference, causation, confounder, constant conjunction, counterfactual reasoning, etiological explanation, gynecology, induction, inference, Mendelian randomization, obstetrics, philosophy of science, probabilistic theories, propensity score, Zika
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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In: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol. 226, No. 1, 01.2022, p. 12-23.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Causation and causal inference in obstetrics-gynecology
AU - Dammann, Olaf
AU - Dörk, Thilo
AU - Hillemanns, Peter
AU - Reydon, Thomas
PY - 2022/1
Y1 - 2022/1
N2 - Causation and causal inference are of utmost importance in obstetrics and gynecology. In many clinical situations, causal reasoning is involved in etiological explanations, diagnostic considerations, and conversations about prognosis. In this paper, we offer an overview of the philosophical accounts of causation that may not be familiar to, but still be appreciated by, the busy clinician. In our discussion, we do not try to simplify what is a rather complex range of ideas. We begin with an introduction to some important basic ideas, followed by 2 sections on the metaphysical and epistemological aspects of causality, which offer a more detailed discussion of some of its specific philosophical facets, using examples from obstetrical and gynecologic research and practice along the way. We hope our discussion will help deepen the thinking and discourse about causation and causal inference in gynecology and obstetrics.
AB - Causation and causal inference are of utmost importance in obstetrics and gynecology. In many clinical situations, causal reasoning is involved in etiological explanations, diagnostic considerations, and conversations about prognosis. In this paper, we offer an overview of the philosophical accounts of causation that may not be familiar to, but still be appreciated by, the busy clinician. In our discussion, we do not try to simplify what is a rather complex range of ideas. We begin with an introduction to some important basic ideas, followed by 2 sections on the metaphysical and epistemological aspects of causality, which offer a more detailed discussion of some of its specific philosophical facets, using examples from obstetrical and gynecologic research and practice along the way. We hope our discussion will help deepen the thinking and discourse about causation and causal inference in gynecology and obstetrics.
KW - Bradford Hill postulates
KW - causal inference
KW - causation
KW - confounder
KW - constant conjunction
KW - counterfactual reasoning
KW - etiological explanation
KW - gynecology
KW - induction
KW - inference
KW - Mendelian randomization
KW - obstetrics
KW - philosophy of science
KW - probabilistic theories
KW - propensity score
KW - Zika
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85123457123&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.09.047
DO - 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.09.047
M3 - Article
C2 - 34991897
AN - SCOPUS:85123457123
VL - 226
SP - 12
EP - 23
JO - American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
JF - American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
SN - 0892-1962
IS - 1
ER -