How do you go about integrating the information from these two articles into your treatment decision for RJ? Demonstrate how you would use these articles (and at least one other that you find in the literature) to justify your decision as to whether you would recommend hydromorphone replacement for RJ.

Two articles are provided that illustrate how studies are conducted to explore the use of statistics in pathophysiology and psychopharmacology:

Additional articles are provided for background information.
In your discussion, describe how one or both of these two articles may be used by you, as a prescribing psychologist, to make a decision about the following patient:
RJ is a 32 year old of mixed Caucasian, African American and Korean ancestry. RJ is an active IV heroin user with a prior diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) complaints. RJ presents in the clinic where you work today because he ran out of heroin yesterday and recently heard that hydromorphone could be used to replace heroin. He complains of continued UGI pains along with vomiting and chills.
1. How do you go about integrating the information from these two articles into your treatment decision for RJ? Demonstrate how you would use these articles (and at least one other that you find in the literature) to justify your decision as to whether you would recommend hydromorphone replacement for RJ.
2. Is the information in these articles sufficient for you to make a decision? If not, what other kind of evidence would you like to have before making a recommendation?
3. Also discuss what else you think might be associated with RJ’s UGI complaints. What else might you want to do for RJ in terms of behavioral or physiological assessment?
[Keep in mind the following aspects of epidemiologic studies: When relying on studies for power and strength, cohort studies are most reliable, followed by case-control, longitudinal, case-series and case designs. Cohort studies are used for common conditions whereas case-control studies are used for rare conditions.]