During the early 2000s, evidence-based medicine emphasized randomized controlled trials and statistical meta-analyses to establish treatment protocols...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
During the early 2000s, evidence-based medicine emphasized randomized controlled trials and statistical meta-analyses to establish treatment protocols. _____ physician-researchers like Rita Charon championed narrative medicine, arguing that patient stories and personal experiences were equally vital to understanding illness and healing.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
However,
For instance,
Therefore,
Similarly,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'During the early 2000s, evidence-based medicine emphasized randomized controlled trials and statistical meta-analyses to establish treatment protocols.' |
|
| '_____' |
|
| 'physician-researchers like Rita Charon championed narrative medicine, arguing that patient stories and personal experiences were equally vital to understanding illness and healing.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[CONTEXT: Early 2000s medical approach] → [Statistical/trial-based medicine dominant] → [MISSING TRANSITION] → [Alternative approach: Narrative medicine] → Patient stories equally important
Main Point:
While statistical evidence dominated early 2000s medicine, some researchers argued that patient narratives were equally important for understanding illness.
Argument Flow:
The passage sets up the dominant medical paradigm of the early 2000s focused on statistical evidence, then introduces an alternative viewpoint that values personal patient experiences alongside statistical data.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our passage analysis, we have two different approaches to medicine being presented
- The first sentence describes evidence-based medicine focusing on trials and statistical analyses
- The second sentence describes narrative medicine focusing on patient stories and experiences
- These represent contrasting philosophies—one emphasizing quantitative data, the other emphasizing qualitative human experience
- The logical relationship needed is contrast or opposition
- The transition should signal that what follows presents a different perspective from what came before
- So the right answer should show contrast between the statistical approach and the narrative approach
However,
✓ Correct
- 'However' signals contrast between the two medical approaches
- Perfectly matches our prethinking—shows the shift from statistical focus to narrative focus
- Creates the logical flow: statistical medicine dominated, BUT some researchers championed a different approach
For instance,
✗ Incorrect
- 'For instance' suggests that narrative medicine is an example of evidence-based medicine
- This contradicts the passage—narrative medicine is presented as an alternative to evidence-based medicine, not an example of it
- What trap this represents: Students might think Charon is providing an example of evidence-based medicine rather than an alternative to it
Therefore,
✗ Incorrect
- 'Therefore' suggests that narrative medicine resulted from or was caused by evidence-based medicine
- The passage presents these as competing approaches, not causally related ones
- Creates illogical flow suggesting statistical medicine led to narrative medicine
Similarly,
✗ Incorrect
- 'Similarly' suggests narrative medicine is like evidence-based medicine
- This contradicts the passage which presents them as different approaches—one focuses on statistics, the other on stories
- What trap this represents: Students might focus on both being medical approaches rather than recognizing they represent opposing philosophies