To truly understand and improve outcomes, we will need to be brave […]
Florence Wilcock: Sometimes we need to “break the rules” to improve healthcare
Laura Marston: The growing price tag put on the lives of patients with type 1 diabetes
In 1921 insulin extraction was discovered by Frederick Banting and his team, who sold the patent for $3 as a gift to humanity. Even a century ago, Banting appreciated how critical this discovery was for those whose bodies do not produce insulin and the corresponding opportunity it created for us to be exploited. Yet today, […]
Robin Baddeley: Leadership thinking is swinging back from the “big picture” to local issues
Leaders in Healthcare 2017: a reflection A canter through this year’s conference prompts reflection on both the foundation and direction of the leadership agenda The Leaders in Healthcare conference aims to “improve outcomes for patients and communities, provide practical ideas that can be implemented in healthcare, promote research into high quality leadership and management, foster […]
Sadie Mullin: Instant messaging in the workplace is no substitute for a professional conversation
Instant messaging poses a significant threat to effective communication in the workplace. NHS England’s stance on use of instant messaging to discuss patients is clear. Due to the inherent risk to confidential data, it is currently banned. However, recent research shows that it is widely used amongst professionals. Most medical and surgical firms now communicate […]
Joe Fraser: The NHS should be better prepared for the psycho-social aspects of diabetes
A recent documentary on the BBC revealed the poor state of provision for Type 1 diabetics with eating disorders. The programme focused on the lack of treatment options available for people with diabulimia. This is a condition characterised by diabetics not taking their insulin (or massively reducing their dosage) in order to lose weight. It […]
Matt Morgan: WhatsApp Doc?
Restricting the use of WhatsApp is fine, but there must be a viable alternative provided […]
Richard Lehman’s journal review—13 November 2017
Richard Lehman reviews the latest research in the top medical journals […]
Roghieh Dehghan: A migrant GP on upfront NHS charges
In post-referendum Britain, the policy of charging overseas visitors upfront further alienates healthcare staff in the NHS […]
Jeffrey Aronson: When I use a word . . . Artificial intelligence
One can hardly pick up a newspaper or magazine these days without reading something about artificial intelligence, typically in relation to computer programmes or robots. In March 2017 a computer programme, AlphaGo, beat a world champion, the South Korean Lee Sedol (pictured below), at go, a game once thought to be too difficult for computers […]
Dharani Yerrakalva: “I know it’s not your fault doctor, but …”
This week I have dealt with more consultations starting with what I call, “I know it’s not your fault doctor, but…” openings than not. My patients can’t ever get an appointment to see me, they tell me. They phone every morning at 8am expectantly, hoping to win the same-day-appointment lottery. Although British people famously like to queue, […]