October 31st, 2008
The increasing politicisation of medicine continues this week with leading medical journals reporting on the proposed differences between the supporters of the 2 political parties and their leaders McCain and Obama. in the US election.
The New England Journal goes a step further than some in its coveage, publishing a “results style” table that looks more at home with in randomised control trial analysis than in a commentary on healthcare policy.
The essence is that healthcare is becoming more important priority for those in the US when ranked alongside other issues such as employment, war in Iraq, education, defence etc.
That said, its undeniable that healthcare is playing an incresing part of election strategy in the US. How long till we here in the UK actually see a tangible difference in healthcare policy from the leading political parties (Labour/ Conservative) on issues such as these.
Sound bites from a health savvy politician in any televised debate could potentially leave the oponent with egg on his face after any exchange.
Probably the most heavyweight stat is this
7% Republican Voters Surveyed said that expanding healthcare coverage across the US was important
in contrast to
94% of Democrats Voters Surveyed said that expanding healthcare coverage across the US was important
Who said that politics was boring. And we haven’t even mentioned stem cells…
We fully support the increasing awareness of clinicians to the wider issues in healthcare. Read the original article from the NEJM here.
J Bateman
October 27th, 2008
JAMA reports that medical schools may now be tempted to sell their names in an attempt to drum up much needed cash with the University of Minnesota being a prime target for those seeking to raise upwards of a reported $150 million.
JAMA. 2008;300(16):1937-1938.
In the UK I can see this catching on after the renaming of our famous football stadiums (The Reebok, Emirates et al). Surely someone will object to the University of Birmingham being renamed the Unibond University of Pot Noodle or something of that ilk?
We’ll have to wait and see.
Any suggestions for some sponsorship? A few tasteless ones come to mind….
October 25th, 2008
Published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine, promising trial data for the new monoclonal antibody Almetuzamab.The conclusions of the study were as follows:
“ In patients with early, relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, alemtuzumab was more effective than interferon beta-1a but was associated with autoimmunity, most seriously manifesting as immune thrombocytopenic purpura. The study was not powered to identify uncommon adverse events.”
NEJM abstract link here
There has been extensive media coverage of the drug on UK media sources including coverage of patients who have received the drug. Cambridge researchers showed a reduction in relapse rate and disability in 334 patients suffering from multiple sclerosis for less than 3 years.
October 25th, 2008
We have set up our own little page on facebook to let med students out there know about us. Its basically a combination of things that are on this site and the opportunity to get involved in the facebook communities out there.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Medical-Educator/31527206607
Take a look over there, and if you want, add yourself as a fan!
October 24th, 2008
A 32 year old female presents with an expressive dysphasia to her GP. Her GP initially thinks it could be migraine as she recalls a mild headache. However, he explains to the patient that she needs to be seen in the hospital for a check up.
She has no visual symptoms, motor symptoms or other neurological symptoms or signs.
By the time she arrives in the Emergency department, her symptoms have entirely resolved.
O/E
Temp 36 o Celsius
BP 112/78
Sats 99% Air
GCS 15/15
Fingerprick Blood glucose 3.9mmol/l
On examination she has an entirely normal neurological examination. The rest of the general examination is unremarkable other than a soft systolic murmur.
Is there anything else to be done, or should she simply see her GP for a follow up and consideration of a referral to a headache clinic? If there is something to be done, what is it and why?