“Research highlights” is a weekly round-up of research papers appearing in the print BMJ. We start off with this week’s research questions, before providing more detail on some individual research papers and accompanying articles. […]
Rachel ter Horst on hopeful initial outcomes of combination treatment in patients with HIV and visceral leishmaniasis co-infection
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a protozoan disease transmitted by sandflies, is the second biggest parasitic killer worldwide (after malaria). In Ethiopia, the host country for the recent International Conference on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) conference, VL, and especially HIV/VL co-infection are major public health problems: over one in three Ethiopian patients with VL […]
Mit Philips on the ICASA conference: donor retreat and its consequences for patients and communities
The 2011 International Conference on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) conference in Addis Ababa was an experience in contradictions. Presentations about promising new strategies created by scientific breakthroughs, and successful field experiences, even in some of Africa’s most disadvantaged communities, contrasted with growing fears that this optimism rests on empty promises and that […]
Douglas Noble on the Falconer report
Last year I blogged about the commission set up by Lord Falconer on assisted suicide. It was clear from the outset that this commission was fatally flawed, not least because of the pro-assisted suicide stance of almost every member of the committee. Unsurprisingly the collection of evidence and hearings was unlikely to have a major impact given […]
Stephen Ginn: smartphone health apps for the future
I learnt some interesting facts about mobile phones the other day. For instance, there are 59 countries where mobile phones outnumber people. This refers to mobile phones actually in use, rather than forgotten ones in drawers, under sofas, or in the glove compartment of your car. Worldwide there are six trillion texts sent a day, […]
Richard Smith: Does it still make sense for healthcare to be “free” and social care means tested?
Does it make sense for the state to pay tens of thousands of pounds for a drug that might keep a patient with cancer alive for another six weeks and leave frail elderly people alone and lonely? Is it the right use of resources to keep a 23 week old fetus alive and probably severely […]
Tom Yates: Separate analysis of independent and industry supported studies would be informative
I am very glad the Cochrane Collaboration exists. However, it is important to consider how its activities might be harmful and to take every effort to mitigate this risk. I periodically re-read Joel Lexchin’s review of outcome in industry supported vs non industry supported studies to remind myself of the powerful and pervasive impact that […]
David Kerr: 2012, technology and all that
January is the month that heralds the end of procrastination. The New Year is traditionally the time that individuals and organisations look ahead and plan for the future. Among the usual resolutions to do more, eat less, and be more productive, there is also the ubiquitous past-time of predicting the near future. For healthcare the […]
Richard Smith: A modest proposal to supermarkets
In healthcare we are much concerned about privacy, but Sainsbury’s, the supermarket chain, knows how much toilet paper I’ve bought in the past 20 years, how many chocolate éclairs I eat a month, that I love smoked fish, whether I eat white or brown bread, and much more. It could probably do a better job […]
Martin McShane: Compliance and membership
The year ahead will be important for the NHS. It will be a year that determines if the leadership across the system inverts and changes. Currently it is based on compliance. Instructions are issued from the centre and the expectation is that they will be followed. Targets are set, with an implied threat that, if […]