• In a week in which the World Health Organization announces a drop in new cases of Ebola virus infection, Sophie Arie looks at lessons learnt during the recent epidemic and asks whether Ebola will be a game changer for vaccines—or a scare that will soon be forgotten. It was during the Ebola epidemic that WHO […]
Neel Sharma et al: Is wearable technology the next “big thing” in medical education?
Sometimes it can seem that technology is rapidly becoming more important than the instructor in medical education particularly with the rise of smart phones, tablets, and high fidelity simulation. Whilst educationalists like ourselves emphasise that the focus is not on the technology itself but rather on the appropriate use of technologies to enhance the teaching […]
MSF Scientific Day 2015: A conference without borders
At the time of writing, the west Africa Ebola epidemic at last appears to be under control, and, as the response is scaled down, there is more capacity within Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to begin to appraise the evidence collected, technological approaches trialled, and lessons learned. Much of the analysis is yet to come—the work […]
Richard Smith: Keeping the NHS alive
The NHS has to change radically if it is to survive. All those who study the NHS closely know that, but I’m not sure that all those who work in the NHS know it. And the necessity for radical change—as opposed to more money—features hardly at all in our depressingly shallow election. But how do […]
Robert Sale: Stand up and speak out for the NHS
One night about a year into the current “reorganisation” (aka upheaval) of the health service, my GP rang at 9.50 pm to give me the results of a blood test. “What on earth are you doing still at work?” I said, grateful though I was for his dedication. At our next Patients Participation Group (PPG) […]
Paul Auerbach: Continuing the relief effort in Nepal
The last few days have been action packed, and my work in Nepal is coming to a close. As an emergency physician, my skills will soon be much less needed than those of orthopedic and plastic surgeons, and primary care and infectious disease specialists. Because of the incredible outpouring of active interest from people who […]
The BMJ Today: Private practice—“so venal, it bordered on criminal”
• Private practice is unethical—and doctors should give it up Consultant cardiologist John Dean talks frankly about why he could not go on with his private medical practice. “No matter how high I set my own moral and ethical standards, I could not escape the fact that I was involved in a business where the conduct […]
The aftermath of Nepal’s earthquake—health sector response
The massive earthquake on 25 April has already claimed over 7000 lives across several districts in Nepal. Many villages have been completely flattened, while some are left with only a few standing houses. Physical destruction and damage aside, this mega-disaster has left the Nepalese people mentally and emotionally drained. Kathmandu Valley, which includes the capital […]
Jocalyn Clark: More on predatory journals—a bad dream turning into a nightmare
In a sort of karmic backlash, predatory publishers seem to be redoubling their efforts since my last blog on predatory journals to swamp my inbox with pesky emails promising quick publication for hard cash. In the last week alone I’ve (addressed as Dr J or just “Colleague”) been asked to be an honorary speaker (as you […]
David Payne: Top nurses with a tamed Hound
Spare a thought for the comedian asked to host a professional awards ceremony within a week of the UK general election. Oliver Reed lookalike Rufus Hound (pictured) showed all the signs of having his comic wings clipped as he took to the podium at London’s Savoy Hotel last week to present the Nursing Standard Nurse Awards. […]