RTs and clinical trials

Already this AM I heard the same advertisement for a well known brand temporal thermometer at least three times. The ad goes on to tout that in a number of clinical trials (significant number) this product has been determined to be as accurate as other thermometers.

That got me wondering if these clinical trials included taking rectal temperatures of I guess patients or volunteers Along with orals, underarm and by ear.

I would be skeptical because a few years ago during the flu season a hospital was doing a study on body temperatures.

I called and listened to what the representative had to say explaining the testing. I asked if rectal temperatures were taken.

I think her response was, “Why? They’re not necessary.” I thanked her for the information and hung up.

I guess so much for the “Gold standard” of temperature taking.

The truth is: In modern, clinical medicine RTs are not necessary. One can determine a hyper or hypothermia using ear thermometers in a matter of seconds. And for RTs the patient needs to get her pants down and a nurse needs to lube a thermometer and insert it and wait and remove and clean it (remove a hygienic cover) and trash her gloves…

It just takes time at the cost of a probably complaining patient. The increased accuracy usually doesn't play such a big role. Furthermore, it has been shown that ear-measurement gives a quite accurate result since the body is extremely optimized to keep the brain at "optimum operation temperature". In my private practice I handle things differently, of course

What do those car makers think they're doing? The fuel gauge on the dashboard is not accurate to the milliliter. Why don't they? The gas pumps go down to the thousandth of a gallon, shouldn't that be the standard?

I remember during college, there were students who were solicited to participate in clinical studies, that required temperature measurements, and other vital sign monitoring. Since this was during the 70's, it's highly probable that temps. were taken with a glass rectal thermometer. Fast forward almost 50 years later. Technology today would likely mitigate an accurate core temp. being taken rectally.

I would think that you should be required to compare it to the gold standard for accuracy.