Research
Antibiotic treatment of acute otitis media in Dutch children
Although antibiotics shorten the course of acute otitis media, they encourage doctors’ attendance in future episodes and antibiotic resistance. In this questionnaire survey of trial participants from the Netherlands, recurrent acute otitis media occurred more often in children originally treated with amoxicillin. This is another argument for judicious use of antibiotics in children with acute otitis media, say the researchers.
Research
Statins in people without established cardiovascular disease but with cardiovascular risk factors
In patients without established cardiovascular disease but with cardiovascular risk factors, statin use was associated with significantly improved survival and large reductions in the risk of major cardiovascular events, according to this meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials including a total of 70 388 participants.
Research
Kidney function and risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality in women
A glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 was associated with increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease but not other cardiovascular events or non-cardiovascular deaths from causes according to this prospective cohort study. The accompanying editorial says more accurate measures of kidney function are needed to identify those at risk. Photo:Ouellette & Theroux SPL
Also published on 29 June:
News
US neurosurgeons earn nearly $0.5m in their first year
Neurological surgeons in the United States who have just completed their training in residencies or fellowships earn more than any other newly qualified doctors in their first year, a survey of doctors’ recruiters has found. In 2008 neurological surgeons earnt a median salary of $445 000 (£270 000; 320 000) in their first year after completing their residency or fellowship.
Also published on 30 June:
- Gordon Brown turns waiting time targets into a patient’s right
- Some 45 000 people die each month in Congo as result of collapsed health service, says UN official
- BMA meeting: NHS doctors must not be "muzzled," BMA chairman says
- BMA chairman calls for end to market in health care
- Patients' safety must not be sacrificed to financial targets, doctors say
- NHS staff are invited to see climate change film free of charge
- Two more people in UK die from swine flu, as swabbing policy ends in "hot spot" areas
Feature and video
Vaccine disputes
As the BMA debates mandatory MMR vaccination to help stem the rising number of measles cases in the UK, Rebecca Coombes investigates the anti-MMR lobby in the UK and US in this feature article. Watch Bad Science author Ben Goldacre discuss MMR and the Wakefield case with Colin Blakemore, former head of the Medical Research Council in an accompanying video.
Comment
Who wants to be the flu doctor?
In this personal view, Daniel Sokol writes, "A couple of weeks ago, some GPs contacted a clinical ethics committee. They cited guidance issued by the Royal College of General Practitioners, the BMA, and the Department of Health: 'Every GP practice must identify the person in the practice who will act as the practice lead on flu pandemic issues.' Once in the front line, this flu doctor may be more exposed to flu patients than his or her colleagues. Perhaps unsurprisingly, none of the GPs in their practice wanted the job." He considers how the lead should be selected.
Also published on 29 June:
Education
Breaking the mould in patient safety
Most current safety interventions are an ethical, emotional, and insurance driven response to specific incidents in hospitals. We need to move from this reactive approach to a more proactive and integrated approach. To achieve real improvements in patient safety we need to look at the whole of patients' care not just specific procedures, argue Laurent Degos and colleagues
Blog
Daily swine flu update
Tom Nolan is the clinical community editor of doc2doc, the BMJ's professional networking community, and a trainee GP. In his new swine flu blog, he provides updates and insights into the situation as it evolves.
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