Thursday, November 30, 2006

Health News Bulletin - 30 November 2006

Two broadband virtual-learning packages have been developed to help newly-qualified doctors learn basic skills and surgical procedures. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6172164.stm

Don't sit up, it's bad for the your back. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6187080.stm

Chemotherapy drugs may be more harmful to healthy cells in the brain. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6156961.stm

The Archives of General Psychiatry found older schizophrenia drugs may be as effective as the new medications, contrary to the widely held view that newer and dearer drugs are safer and more effective. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6175992.stm

A computer program that helps doctors find the nearest hospital cot for critically ill newborn babies has been launched. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6180132.stm

Patients survey will determine GP bonuses. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6180176.stm

RCS said it needs 50% increase in hospital consultants to guarantee the safety of patients. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6181966.stm

NEJM - 2 open access perspective articles about the safety of the drug Aprotinin and public health :
1)Dangerous Deception — Hiding the Evidence of Adverse Drug Effects.
2)Observational Studies of Drug Safety — Aprotinin and the Absence of Transparency
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/reprint/355/21/2169.pdf
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/reprint/355/21/2171.pdf

Journal Cell - scientists have discovered that the heart could come from stem cells that give rise to multiple cell types in the same local environment. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6173040.stm

NEJM study - blood thinning drug Bivalirudin (Angiomax) for patients with ACS, had similar rates of serious complications as the other drugs, but had significantly lower rates of serious bleeding. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/355/21/2203?query=nextarrow

JAMA reports 4 cases where patients were given excessively high doses of fatal toxin, botox, in cosmetic treatments. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6165042.stm

Scientists have found how heart disease or stroke may trigger Alzheimer's diseases. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6164854.stm

Poll found GPs and hospital doctors doubted the security of a new national databases with 51% were unwilling to allow people's data to be uploaded without their permission. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6167924.stm

A study shows that people experiencing heart attack symptoms wait an average of 90 minutes before an ambulance is called. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6153402.stm

UK government fails to take account of expert advice to prevent a possible flu pandemic and stockpiles just one antiviral drug . http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6158310.stm

DoH to publish marketing code for hospital ads to attract patients under the Choice agenda. The BMA's GP committee said patients want money to be spent on their healthcare, not spent on advertising. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6164214.stm

A task force poll found doctors miss milk allergy symptoms in babies and did not know the best treatment. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6157490.stm

The Lancet study - Arimidex, a breast cancer drug, already used in Scotland, is more effective than standard treatment, the risk of the disease returning was reduced by almost half. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6158936.stm

BMJ report - NHS reforms harm patient care, but DoH claims the reforms give local NHS more flexibilty and freedom to run services to suit local needs. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6156152.stm

The Partnership for Patients project will allow members of the public to access choice of health provider through their local library. http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/detail.asp?ReleaseID=241528&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=True

Two drug companies plan to apply for a judicial review of NICE's restriction on the use of Alzheimer's disease drugs, donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6154668.stm

A study suggests fathers appear to determine the height of their child while mothers tend to influence how much body fat they will have. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6154220.stm

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Interesting responses to BMJ article

I have been following the responses to the BMJ article "Googling for a diagnosis--use of Google as a diagnostic aid: internet based study", there is still a lot of debate on this topic. Here are some interesting comments posted on the BMJ website by readers from all over the world :

While some clinicians were shocked by the publication and dismissed the findings of this paper, a few dermatologists found the Internet an indispensable clinical aid.

A resident found PubMedding yielded better search results than Googling

A SpR said the Internet empowers rural doctors as well as the public, but users will need to have a sound search strategy and focus on the accredited sources.

An IT professional with GP background said using Google does not reduce the value of his training, integrating the Internet into the daily work of physicians will enhance their diagnostic and therapeutic abilities.

A medical student/research assistant wrote that the Internet is a dangerous tool, it is important to teach and inform practicing physicians as well as medical students of the medical databases and the negative impact of Google and other search engines.

An Internet consultant who teaches doctors on using the Internet found many doctors cannot tell the differences between good sources and poor ones, when to use commercial medical databases or when to rely on general search engines. He urged medical professionals who require accurate and reliable data to consult a suitably qualified information professional.

The study "Googling for a diagnosis" has its limitations and weaknesses, but it demonstrates the current trend that increasing doctors use Google as a search tool for web-based clinical information. It also shows that there is a wealth of useful medical information available on the Internet. Google is the search engine of choice for many people because of its convenience and ease of use, it may not replace doctors, but it does have an impact on the daily lives of busy clinicians, on patients and their relationships with doctors.

Friday, November 17, 2006

My New Face

This is an extraordinary Channel 4 documentary featuring 2 cranio facial surgeons, Martin Kelly and Norman Waterhouse, who volunteer their free time, expert knowledge and skills to help children with severe disfigurements. These children come from very poor countries where there is no access to treatments and their lives are wrecked by the deformities, one boy was stoned by people in the village.
TV viewers caught a glimpse of the latest technology and surgical techniques, but the bravery of the children who have suffered so much from their disfigurements and the compassion and devotion of the surgeons have touched so many viewers and brought tears to their eyes. Their work have transformed these children's lives giving them hope that has been lost in the cruel world.

For more details about the work of the charity at "Facing the World" set up by the surgeons.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Health News Bulletin - 16 November 2006

Journal "Nature" - UCL study found cells in the heart can carry out essential repairs. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6143286.stm

Stroke survivors are not given vital information they need when discharged.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6147126.stm

A report recommended that babies born before or at 22 weeks should not be resuscitated. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6149464.stm

BMJ - Australian doctors found Google useful aid in difficult diagnostic cases, but UK experts said the internet was "no replacement" for doctors. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6132856.stm

US scientists found body's own immune system could be used to fight skin cancer. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6135308.stm

Journal Human Reproduction - heavy smoking may reduce female fertility. They believe that suggests tobacco makes the uterus less receptive. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6122442.stm

"Nature" magazine - UK scientists helped blind mice to restore their vision by transplanting immature retinal stem cells into their eyes, people could benefit in the same way. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6120664.stm

NEJM - treatment for periodontal disease in pregnant women does not result in adverse pregnancy outcomes.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=55714&nfid=rssfeeds

BMJ - Australian doctors said that doctors should probably stop using pulmonary artery catheters because they do not benefit patients.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=55763&nfid=rssfeeds

Journal "Cell" - explains how the zebrafish mends a broken heart suggesting methods for coaxing the damaged hearts of mammals to better heal. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=55776&nfid=rssfeeds

NICE has approved Mimpara ( cinacalact) for the treatment of a serious complication of kidney disease.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=56033&nfid=rssfeeds

A pilot scheme is being launched to protect patients who are turning to the web because they cannot get the latest drugs on the NHS . http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6120138.stm

A new device that uses a computer to monitor the patient’s blood sugar levels and work out the precise dose of insulin needed could free children with diabetes from their reliance on blood tests and injections. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2439201,00.html

Prostate Cancer Charity says some doctors have been told by PCTs to ration the number of courses of taxotere that they prescribe on cost grounds.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6112568.stm

A survey shows that 1 in 3 people in the UK does not know the differences between common painkillers. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6112768.stm

UCLH NHS Trust developed a flat keyboard that could cut cases of the MRSA superbug. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6107892.stm

A small study found that an artifical pump, LVAD, combined with drug therapy may strengthen the heart of patients with advanced heart failure. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6108928.stm

Level of TB rose by 10.8% in 2005 in England, Wales & NI. "The increase is ….. a combination of TB disease developing in individuals who may have been infected ... in the UK, or as a result of travel to other countries where TB is common". http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6109228.stm

UK Scientists have created "mini livers" using stem cells from umbilical cords. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6101420.stm

JAMA - infants who died of SIDS had brain abnormalities that could not process the brain chemical serotonin , therefore increase the risks of cot death.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6102106.stm

A survey found that people would trust doctors most to tell the truth. Doctors have regularly topped the list ... since the poll began in 1983. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6105616.stm

Friday, November 10, 2006

Ask Dr Google for the right diagnosis

"Is Google really the new GP service?", " For rare diseases, just try Google", "Can Google Diagnose Illness Better Than Doctors?"

These are just some of the news headlines this morning about the study of "Google aids doctors in diagnosis" carried out by Australian doctors in Brisbane, published in the online BMJ today. The researchers identified 26 difficult cases from the New England Journal of Medicine and did a Google search on each without knowing the correct diagnoses. Google found the correct diagnosis in 15 (58 per cent) of the 26 cases! The researchers said "Our study suggests that in difficult diagnostic cases, it is often useful to 'Google' for a diagnosis. ……..Web-based search engines such as Google are becoming the latest tools in clinical medicine, and doctors in training need to become proficient in their use." UK experts said the internet was "no replacement" for doctors.
For more details about the study, click on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6132856.stm

Monday, November 06, 2006

Latest NHS copyright update

The National Library of Health has published an update at :

http://www.library.nhs.uk/forlibrarians/copyright

NHS CFH has offered to enter into negotiations with the Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) in consideration of a corporate licensing agreement. While such negotiations are taking place NHS Trusts should refrain from discussions directly with the CLA.

Pew Internet & American Life Project

According to a study released on 30 October 2006 by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, a Washington, D.C. nonprofit research group,113 millions of adults in the U.S. have gone online for medical advice and research. The search found about 10 million Americans search the Internet each day for health information, three-fourths of those were reassured that they could make an appropriate decision after their web search. However, few of these searchers pay close attention to the source and date of the information they had found . This could pose problems because medicine changes so rapidly that online medical information could be outdated.

To view the Pew Internet & American Life Project : http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/190/report_display.asp