Alcohol evidence and policy: Beliefs and evidence: asking question might help

doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1203-a

BMJ 2004;328:1203 (15 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1203-a

Letter

Alcohol evidence and policy

Beliefs and evidence: asking question might help

The first 100% of the full text of this article appears below.

EDITOR—Marmot's editorial on alcohol evidence and policyillustrates a common human trait: people's willingness to takeaction influences their view of the (scientific) evidence.¹This trait is evident in us all—but in some more thanothers.

If you are in the business of trying to influence policy and/orwin hearts and minds, it is wise to be aware of this and towhat degree the individual or group has this trait. Individualsor groups form very strong views or beliefs about somethingas they go through life and may have compelling reasons to stickwith that view, despite good evidence that they may be wrongor misguided. Asking the question "What would it take to changeyour mind about this?" can at least guide us to where our effortsat change can be best targeted.

Denis Colligan, general practitioner

Whitley Road Medical Centre, Collyhurst, Manchester M40 7QH denis.colligan@northpct.manchester.nwest.nhs.uk

Competing interests: None declared.