From bed bugs via the Roman goddess of dawn – complete with Latin poetry – to Siberian bug bane: Richard takes us through the Big Four in his usual inimitable fashion. […]
Richard Lehman’s journal blog, 5 April 2009
Juliet Walker: BMJ in the news
A BMJ research paper reports that drinking hot tea is strongly linked with an increased risk of developing oesophageal cancer. The study was conducted in the Golestan province, northern Iran, where there is a high incidence of the disease. The BBC wrote that, ‘the finding could explain the increased oesophageal cancer risk in some non-Western populations. […]
Julian Sheather on the case of Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell is more often associated with toppling heels and fashion-pack tantrums than fundamental clashes in human rights, but as we all know, in our celebrity-strewn culture, fame can be a lightning rod, drawing down great matters on otherwise unremarkable souls. While there may be more moving sights than the gyrations of exposure-hungry models seeking […]
Eva Brencicova: A first date to remember
Initially I thought the lady was choking. I was close to rushing towards her to perform some of the jazzy first-aid moves I learnt in medical school (and become the star of the evening). But very soon it became fairly obvious that Heimlich manoeuvre & co. were uncalled-for. Dignity and self-control werewhat this woman was […]
NICE and the influenza antivirals for healthy adults – No, again and again and again
NICE’s latest technology appraisal of the flu antiviral drugs (amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir), published in February 2009 marks the sixth time these drugs have been considered. The timelines are shown below. […]
Richard Lehman’s journal blog, 30 March 2009
We are very pleased that Richard Lehman is back with us after a break. As before, his ever popular journal blog will be published weekly. This week, Richard gets off to a splendid start by covering a range of subjects from Greek nymphs to footstools and defecating… […]
David Kerr on preventing cervical cancer in Africa
I think we have reached a pivotal moment in the fight to prevent cervical cancer in Africa. This week I organised an international meeting in Oxford, bringing together representatives of the First Ladies of Nigeria and Uganda, African health ministers, pharmaceutical companies, and leading cervical cancer doctors, to map out a strategy for cervical cancer […]
Joe Collier on being older
I am now 67 and am having the time of my life. Inevitably, the way I am feeling and acting now is the product of both my age and my recent retirement, and the exact contribution of the two components is difficult to disentangle. I actually retired from being an academic with an active role […]
Domhnall MacAuley on primary care in Canada
When Davidicus Wong (cool name) told of being asked by a fellow passenger on a plane “Are you a GP or just a just a specialist?”, it set the scene for the Impact BC Canadian Health Improvement Forum, which preceded the Institute for Healthcare Improvement meeting (10th Annual International Summit on Redesigning the Clinical Office […]
Chris Turner on life at Stafford Hospital after the media storm
So it’s the end of week two since the Healthcare Commission report into Stafford Hospital became public knowledge, and the toll is showing. It shows on the faces of staff who feel battered, it shows on the faces of managers who look beleaguered, and most importantly it shows on the faces of our patients who […]