MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'british'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:55:00 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159670&cid=t_111603_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F22%2Fparp-inhibitor-olaparib-has-activity-in-high-grade-serous-ovarian-cancer-without-inherited-brca1-or-brca2-gene-mutations%2F Researchers affiliated with the British Columbia Cancer Agency reported Phase 2 clinical study results indicating that advanced ovarian cancer, with and without germline (inherited) BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene mutations, responded to treatment with the PARP inhibitor olaparib. The Phase 2 study results were published online in the August 21 edition of The Lancet [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159670 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:39:54 +0100 5159670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130745&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdo-you-really-need-6-8-glasses-of-water-each-day%2F2011.08.15 “Bueno es saber que los vasos nos sirven para beber; lo malo es que no sabemos para qué sirve la sed”. Proverbios y cantares.XLI. Antonio Machado (‘It’s good to know that glasses are what can help us drink; The trouble is, we don’t know What is the purpose of thirst’) The one thing you can’t afford to have missing when you start a scientific congress or any other professional meeting is not a notepad, a pencil or even an iPad – nowadays, it’s a bottle of water. Offices, airports, handbags and lecture halls, all of them are bursting with all kinds of bottles. It seems they are essential to work and even to stay alive. Bordering nonsense, some people desperately search for a bottled water vending machine as soon as they arrive at the airport, even if that means gobbling i... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130745 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:00:20 +0100 5130745 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125818&cid=t_111603_111_f&fid=38038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcosmicwatercooler.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fbritish-bodybuilding-championship.html But while mythological figures like Hercules may be done for recreation, for personal betterment or as a nutrition supplement drink was ingested prior to and immediately following each intense bodybuilding training program. As you now know, natural bodybuilding clearly state that they watch their diet and supplement food, the correct one.Women typically, will not be aware that there is often avoided due to the british bodybuilding championship a very different value on any given subject, and each group tends to believe anything and everything they read. As a matter of fact, most of their claims are not as strong as they try and stuff themselves with healthy strong physiques.Do you know that there are two main factions or philosophies of the british bodybuilding championship and amateur bod... Cosmic Watercooler blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125818 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 06:20:00 +0100 5125818 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125808&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F12%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-august-12-2011%2F Every day can seem pretty ordinary. It can look almost identical on the surface. But if you were to take a magnify glass and zoom in on the individual moments of your day, you may be surprised by what you find. Within those 24 hours, there are mini lessons, opportunities to choose differently and open doors toward self-growth. The problem is we’re usually too busy to notice them. Take today, for example. There was the lady who blatantly and unashamedly pushed me out of the grocery line. I could have chosen to say something. But I didn’t. I was also late for an appointment. I could have carried the guilt I felt throughout the rest of my day. But I didn’t do that either. And there was that darn migraine. The headache that I’ve had since high school-the type that makes... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125808 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:34:34 +0100 5125808 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062291&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F25%2Fbps-on-dsm%2F Some of you may be following the development of the forthcoming fifth revision to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the major book used for psychiatric diagnosis. There has been a lot of criticism due to the secrecy of the process this time around, but the British Psychological Society (BPS), the major mental health organization in the UK, is taking an even more interesting and refreshing angle: criticizing the entire current framework of diagnosis. The DSM takes a medical approach to diagnosis. In short, this means that a ‘patient’ is assumed to have an underlying ‘pathology’ that manifests as various ‘symptoms’ that are assessed to make a ‘diagnosis’ and then apply a ‘treatment’ to said diagnosis. ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062291 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:44:58 +0100 5062291 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953114&cid=t_111603_117_f&fid=38856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timemastermd.com%2F%3Fp%3D2245 Women, Where Do The Worst Lovers Live? A recent poll asked women from 20 countries to rate men from all nations on their ability in bed and give reasons for their answers. See the top 1o Worst Lovers list below! But first, let’s talk about who was the least worst! Spanish men topped the table as the best lovers!  Why?  I think this might be an example,  Iker Casillas turned a little naughty after winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Girlfriend and TV presenter Sara Carbonero was interviewing him and asked about the match however Iker Casillas replied by kissing her live on the Spanish TV. Maybe this is why women see Spanish men as intense, passionate and exciting lovers?  Sara Carbonero was took by surprise and said “Oh my God, I will come back later”, and I am sure sh... Timemaster MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953114 Sun, 19 Jun 2011 19:38:21 +0100 4953114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159034&cid=t_111603_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D4439%26utm_source%3Drss%26utm_medium%3Drss%26utm_campaign%3Dacupuncturists-show-that-acupuncture-doesnt-work-but-conclude-the-opposite-journal-fails Conclusion The addition of 12 sessions of five-element acupuncture to usual care resulted in improved health status and wellbeing that was sustained for 12 months. How on earth did the authors manage to reach a conclusion like that? The first thing to note is that many of the authors are people who make their living largely from sticking needles in people, or advocating alternative medicine. The authors are Charlotte Paterson, Rod S Taylor, Peter Griffiths, Nicky Britten, Sue Rugg, Jackie Bridges, Bruce McCallum and Gerad Kite, on behalf of the CACTUS study team. The senior author, Gerad Kite MAc , is principal of the London Institute of Five-Element Acupuncture London. The first author, Charlotte Paterson, is a well known advocate of acupuncture. as is Nicky Britten. The conflict... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159034 Tue, 31 May 2011 15:12:26 +0100 5159034 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872471&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FpHHGMxSsWCQ%2F So how is this for subtlety? A journal ad for the Yasmin contraceptive pill sold by Bayer noted that the med had a beneficial effect on acne, fluid retention, hirsutism and premenstrual symptoms. At the same time, much smaller type mentioned that acne and fluid retention may be uncommon side effects and that Yasmin is not licensed as a treatment for any of the four afflictions. And so a general practitioner in the UK filed a complaint with the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority, which is responsible for administering the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry’s practice code. The anonymous doc believed it was “highly unethical” to put misleading info into an ad and that patents could be placed at an unnecessary risk. The upshot? A review panel found... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872471 Fri, 27 May 2011 17:32:33 +0100 4872471 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4828985&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F16%2Fover-40-playful-yet-practical-ways-to-cultivate-creativity%2F This article is designed specifically for marketing mavens but everyone can take away some good ideas, regardless of your profession. What are some of your favorite creativity-boosting activities? What helps you get those creative juices churning? (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4828985 Mon, 16 May 2011 12:06:04 +0100 4828985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4771211&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F30%2Fthe-freudian-problem%2F Excluding pop psychologists, (such as Dr. Phil, Dr. Drew or Wayne Dyer) Sigmund Freud is probably the most well known name associated with psychology (at least to the lay public).  In Frank Sulloway’s book, Freud: Biologist of the Mind, the author notes, “Few individuals, if any, have exerted more influence upon the twentieth century than Sigmund Freud.” (Shermer, 2001, p.203). A 1981 survey of chairpersons of graduate psychology found that the respondents considered Freud the most influential figure in the history of psychology (Davis, Thomas, & Weaver, 1982).  But times have changed. “[I]f all the members of the American Psychological Association [APA] who  were concerned with Freudian psychoanalysis were collected, they would make up  less than 10 percent of the membersh... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4771211 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 16:00:59 +0100 4771211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704733&cid=t_111603_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fwhy-its-unethical-for-doctors-not-to.html Many doctors are still worried that it's unethical to have a personal website.They feel that this amounts to advertising, and that a website is a way of soliciting patients.I strongly disagree. In fact, I feel it's unethical for a doctor not to have their own website ! The word doctor is derived from the word, " docere", which means to teach. This clearly means that one of the key responsibilities of a doctor is to teach their patients. While many doctors do this face to face, the amount of teaching which can be done this way is very limited - and a conversation is not the best way of transmitting information.Doctors who publish their own websites communicate with their patients online - and a website is a much more powerful tool of reaching out to thousands of people who are looking for i... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704733 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 02:38:00 +0100 4704733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693507&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FvHycW-dgqLw%2F Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us and we’ll share with it others. That’s right. Send us your announcements and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is coming and going, especially with all the layoffs. Despite the downsizing, there is movement. Here are some of the latest changes. Recognize anyone? And here is our regular feature. Send us a photo and we will spotlight a different person each week. This time around, we note that QuantumMethod has hired Michele McHugh-Mazzatta, as a partner and she will manage east coast operations. Before joining the marketing firm, she ran her own firm, Four M Group, and previously spent more than 20 years at GlaxoSmithKline, most rec... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693507 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:00:11 +0100 4693507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4677109&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fr0Fv99YQmK0%2F Rise and shine, everyone. Another day is on the way. And it is a sunny one here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where the short people have left for the local school house and the official Pharmalot mascots are barking at squirrels. You know what this means - it is time for a cup of stimulation. Our flavor today is Southern Pecan. Please join us as we scour the news of the world. Have a great day and do send us those interesting tidbits…. Gilead Raises Prices Of Top-Selling Meds (Dow Jones) J&J Hepatitis C Drug Price Sparks Concern In France (Bloomberg News) Bayer To Consolidate And Add Jobs In New Jersey (The Daily Record) Brand And Generic Makers Clash Over Canada/EU Trade Deal (Pharma Times) Cubist Shares Jump On Teva Patent Deal (Associated Press) Link Sought Between Lab ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4677109 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:09:01 +0100 4677109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4658622&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F15TOpFMeOlc%2F There is nothing quite like a jury of your peers. And over in the UK, Novo Nordisk management was slapped around quite a bit by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry for breaching industry codes concerning various promotional efforts for its Victoza diabetes med. What did the drugmaker do wrong? There were two cases, actually. In the first one, Novo Nordisk promoted the med on a website and at a symposium before regulators issued approval. The ABPI appeals board called this a “serious matter” that “displayed a poor understanding of the requirements” of the industry’s own code. In fact, the board was not convinced the drugmaker “understood the seriousness of the matter,” especially given there was another instance involving the same... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4658622 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:18:33 +0100 4658622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4658385&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-salzberg-statement-patients-must-be-involved-in-healthcare-decisions%2F2011.03.30 Last Thursday at the headquarters of the British Medical Journal in London, an important announcement will be made about patients’ rights to be actively involved in decisions about their treatment. Below is the press release about it. The subject is shared decision making, which we’ve been posting about recently (series here; initial post here.) Developed by the participants in a Salzburg Global Seminar last December, the document is called the Salzburg Statement. The pivotal distinction here is the difference between informed consent, in which the physician assesses the options and selects one, and gets your consent to do it; and informed choice, in which clinicians tell you the options, with all the pros and cons, and let you choose, based on your preferences. Click the image to do... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4658385 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:00:46 +0100 4658385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4610847&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F18%2Fmancession-and-male-depression-open-your-minds-and-shut-your-mouths%2F I used to think a woman’s depression rate was two or three times that of a man’s simply because of the hormonal roller coaster she gets to ride from the time she first gets her period in junior high (or now in first grade — okay, maybe not that early) until she can stop buying sanitary items or, even better, stop making her husband buy them for her. But now I’m not so sure. Women are giving more weight these days to domestic tasks like raising kids and keeping the house in order than to their menstrual cycle and the biological trauma of childbirth. Because, in sync with Dr. Boadie Dunlap’s editorial in the British Journal of Psychiatry, as we switched roles in our home, the adjustment has been much more difficult than the simple plan we forecast in Quicken: my income increase... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4610847 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:16:34 +0100 4610847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4554661&cid=t_111603_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fmy-doctor-does-not-tell-me-anything-dr.html " My doctor never has time to talk to me or to explain to me what is happening !" This is the commonest complaint patients have about their doctors.It's true that doctors are busy - and good doctors are in high demand, with enormous patient loads. Their time is precious - and the reality is that they do not have the luxury of sitting down and chatting with you.However, there's no point in looking for problems - you need to find solutions ! You cannot change the constraints your doctor operates under - but there's a lot you can do to make the most of the limited time you have with him !What are some useful strategies ?1. Remember that your doctor is no longer the only dispenser of reliable medical information. This was true 50 years ago, when doctors had a monopoly on access to medical know... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4554661 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 05:39:00 +0100 4554661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4540564&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fit%25e2%2580%2599s-time-to-tango-impatient-with-progress-on-patient-physician-partnership%2F2011.03.02 The other day I came across this photo of a couple clasping each other in a dramatic tango on the cover of an old medical journal – a special issue from 1999 that was focused entirely on doctor-patient partnership. The tone and subjects of the articles, letters and editorials were identical to those written today on the topic: “It’s time for the paternalism of the relationship between doctors and patients to be transformed into a partnership;” “There are benefits to this change and dangers to maintaining the status quo;” “Some doctors and patients resist the change and some embrace it: Why?” Two questions struck me as I impatiently scanned the articles from 12 years ago: First, why are these articles about doctor-patient partnership still so relevant? And second, why ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4540564 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 22:00:43 +0100 4540564 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4495202&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhy-negative-medical-studies-are-good%2F2011.02.18 This is a guest column by Ivan Oransky, M.D., who is executive editor of Reuters Health and blogs at Embargo Watch and Retraction Watch. One of the things that makes evaluating medical evidence difficult is knowing whether what’s being published actually reflects reality. Are the studies we read a good representation of scientific truth, or are they full of cherry-picked data that help sell drugs or skew policy decisions? That question may sound like that of a paranoiac, but rest assured, it’s not. Researchers have worried about a “positive publication bias” for decades. The idea is that studies showing an effect of a particular drug or procedure are more likely to be published. In 2008, for example, a group of researchers published a New England Journal of Medicin... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4495202 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 22:20:24 +0100 4495202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4414521&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhen-money-isnt-everything-to-doctors%2F2011.01.29 I recently pointed to a BMJ study concluding that pay for performance doesn’t seem to motivate doctors. It has been picking up steam in major media with TIME, for instance, saying: “Money isn’t everything, even to doctors.” So much is riding on the concept of pay for performance, that it’s hard to fathom what other options there are should it fail. And there’s mounting evidence that it will. Dr. Aaron Carroll, a pediatrician at the University of Indiana, and regular contributor to KevinMD.com, ponders the options. First he comments on why the performance incentives in the NHS failed: Perhaps the doctors were already improving without the program. If that’s the case, though, then you don’t need economic incentives. It’s possible the incentives were too low. But I don’t... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4414521 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 17:00:01 +0100 4414521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399631&cid=t_111603_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fwhat-expert-patient-can-teach-expert.html I am an IVF specialist, and know lots about IVF. I read all the medical journals and keep myself updated, so I can provide high quality medical care to my patients - after all, my professional knowledgebase is my major asset and I spend a lot of time on polishing my skills and keeping current with recent advances. Since IVF is such a specialised field, it's much easier for me to do so, as compared to a general physician, for example, who has a much broader area to cover.However, no matter how good my intentions, the fact still remains that there will be areas in IVF in which I have blind spots. The good news is that my patients are getting smarter and are happy to help me fill in these blind spots. I have always respected my patients and I learn a lot from them all the time.Medicine is a r... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399631 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 04:24:00 +0100 4399631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4386271&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-peddling-of-genetic-tests%2F2011.01.22 In a recent issue of the British Medical Journal (BMJ), journalist Ray Moynihan wrote: “Beware the fortune tellers peddling genetic tests.” (Subscription required for full access.) Excerpts: “For anyone concerned about the creeping medicalisation of life, the marketplace for genetic testing is surely one of the latest frontiers, where apparently harmless technology can help mutate healthy people into fearful patients, their personhood redefined by multiple genetic predispositions for disease and early death. … Again a tool that’s proved useful in the laboratory has escaped like a virus into the marketplace, incubated by entrepreneurs, lazy reporters, and the power of our collective dreams of technological salvation, this time in the form of personalised medici... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4386271 Sat, 22 Jan 2011 23:00:22 +0100 4386271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4361304&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FIiODttpjxnE%2F In an embarassing comeuppance, Cephalon was slapped around by the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry for discrediting its species by providing inappropriate hospitality to 13 healthcare professionals during a medical congress in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2009. The move came after a complaint was filed anonymously by a perturbed employee, who works as a hospital specialist, and noted a subject of discussion was the Fentora pain patch. Among the transgressions that prompted the ABPI to admonish one of its own: an official feedback document that was distributed to Cephalon employees, including reps, that had such interesting comments as “Dinner was fantastic,” “great night again,” “took them clubbing,” and “we then went to a few bars and to a c... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4361304 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:04:53 +0100 4361304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318334&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-autism-vaccine-fraud-the-difference-one-journalist-can-make%2F2011.01.06 The BMJ’s statement this week that the 1998 article by Andrew Wakefield and 12 others “linking MMR vaccine and autism was fraudulent” demonstrates what a difference one journalist can make. Journalist Brian Deer played a key role in uncovering and dismantling the Wakefield story. (Of course, others recently have said something similar about The Daily Show comedian Jon Stewart’s role in focusing on the health problems of 9/11 first responders.) CNN’s Anderson Cooper had a segment worth watching, including a new interview Cooper conducted with Wakefield via Skype: Unfortunately, journalism played a key role in promoting Wakefield’s claims. The “Respectful Insolence” blog referred to one journalist as “CBS’ resident anti-vaccine pro... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318334 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:00:16 +0100 4318334 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4313948&cid=t_111603_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fbritish-transplant-surgeons-argue-legalization-sale-organs%2F Some British transplant surgeons are now arguing to make the sale of organs legal to end the practice of “transplant tourism.” Professor Nadim Hakey comments. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4313948 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 19:29:51 +0100 4313948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4302886&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F01%2Fpsych-central-by-the-numbers-2010%2F In October 2010, according to comScore Media Metrix, Psych Central had 820,000 unique U.S. visitors to the site, and in November 2010, we had 933,000 visitors. That puts us in the top 50 most-visited of all health websites on the Internet today — a first for us! Combined with our international audience, Google Analytics tells us we reach over 1.5 million unique visitors each and every month. Astounding, considering our humble beginnings of indexing other psychology and mental health resources online 15 years ago. To put this in some context, more people visit Psych Central every month than any one of these sites: The American Cancer Society The American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association combined The American Medical Association The American Diab... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4302886 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 23:00:52 +0100 4302886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4272290&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-12-stis-of-christmas%2F2010.12.19 My yearly Christmas favorite reposted, courtesy of the British National Health Service (BNHS): (Click on the title image to watch) I have seen several searches of this blog for the BNHS and wondered why. The answer: The site no longer carries the wonderful show, for reasons unknown to me. As for the searches, I guess the Christmas season has people thinking about sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) set to a Christmas tune. Merry Christmas! *This blog post was originally published at GruntDoc* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4272290 Sun, 19 Dec 2010 17:00:31 +0100 4272290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265742&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fintegrative-medicine-as-the-butt-of-a-hoax%2F2010.12.16 In 1996, Alan Sokal got a bogus paper published in the journal Social Text. It was a parody full of meaningless statements in the jargon of postmodern philosophy and cultural studies. The editors couldn’t tell the difference between Sokal’s nonsense and the usual articles they publish. Now a British professor of medical education, Dr. John McLachlan, has perpetrated a similar hoax on supporters of so-called “integrative” medicine. He reports his prank in an article in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). After receiving an invitation to submit papers to an International Conference on Integrative Medicine, he invented a ridiculous story about a new form of reflexology and acupuncture with points represented by a homunculus map on the buttocks. He claimed to have done studies showing ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265742 Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:00:20 +0100 4265742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4233230&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F06%2Fwhat-would-you-do-if-you-were-me%2F So you’ve finally made the leap and sought out help for a psychiatric or mental health concern in your life. You’ve gone to the psychiatrist, who has asked you a lot of questions over the course of the past hour or so, and you feel a little exhausted. The psychiatrist turns to you and says, “Well, we could approach your treatment from a number of different ways. We could do this, or we could do that. There are pros and cons to each…” You try to listen, but you really don’t understand the differences, or what the likelihood is that one treatment is more beneficial than the other. Your eyes begin to glaze over as the psychiatrist keeps talking, oblivious to your zoning out. “So how would you like you to proceed with your treatment, this or that?&#822... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4233230 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:18:53 +0100 4233230 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4205982&cid=t_111603_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fpatientology-new-science-of-medical.html Patientology is the study of patients - and this is a core skill which all doctors need to learn, even though there is no textbook or syllabus for this !One way all doctors can become better patientologists is by teaching their patients how to become better patients ! Good patients make for good doctors - and it's possible to provide patients with a toolbox of skills which they can learn to help themselves.These tools include teaching patients :how to keep good medical recordshow to talk to doctorshow to ask questionshow to do their homeworkhow to take care of themselves when they are in hospital (Source: The Patient's Doctor) The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4205982 Sat, 27 Nov 2010 03:48:00 +0100 4205982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197357&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fzs1JuMdwgfQ%2F Once again, controversy is erupting over British Columbia’s PharmaCare program. The latest flare up centers on a previously undisclosed plan by the health ministry to give the pharmaceutical industry greater input into the process used to review drugs for the PharmaCare formularly placement. A Sept. 30 memo from British Columbia’s deputy health minister John Dyble to unnamed “stakeholders” describes four separate “engagement points” in the “enhanced review process” that would determine which drugs would be covered by PharmaCare. The purpose is to create “increased sponsor engagement,” according to the Sept. 30 memo (see here). The proposed “engagement points” for industry, which are being reviewed today at a closed-do... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197357 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:48:39 +0100 4197357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175801&cid=t_111603_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FNaNCp8nY3tQ%2F photo: Anwar Hussein/WENN.com Bollocks, Kate Middleton. It was a “total shock” when Prince William proposed to you three weeks ago while you were “on holiday” at a quiet safari lodge in Africa? But you’ve been together (on and off) for almost nine years! Are you telling me that in all that time the subject of marriage never came up? (We know it must have, because in your recent ITV News interview with Tom Bradby, Prince William mentioned that lately you and he had been discussing your future and the possibility of marriage.) So why did Prince William alone get to decide when to take one of the biggest steps of your lives? Because he’s royalty and you’re a commoner – albeit a rich one? Last time I checked, the Queen’s name was Elizabeth, not... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175801 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 23:29:48 +0100 4175801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4172135&cid=t_111603_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FCjjuLS0t3pE%2F Prince William and Kate Middleton are finally getting hitched, according to announcements today by the British royal family. Their wedding, which is expected to happen in spring or summer 2011, will be the biggest royal wedding since Charles and Diana’s fairy-tale ceremony in 1981, and is expected to be one of the most widely-watched television events in years. According to officials at Clarence House, the couple, both 28, got engaged last month while on a trip to Kenya, when Prince William gave Middleton his mother’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring. The royal engagement has sparked a wildfire of media reports, and has us contemplating the past and future of their relationship. The couple met in September 2001 at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, from which they b... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4172135 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:33:32 +0100 4172135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4167972&cid=t_111603_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3675 Jump to follow-up The mainstream media eventually catch up with bloggers. BBC1 TV (Wales) produced an excellent TV programme that exposed the enormous degree validation scam run by the University of Wales. It also exposed the uselessness of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). Both these things have been written about repeatedly here for some years. It was good to see them getting wider publicity. Watch the video of the BBC programme, "Week In Week Out – University Challenged." “The programme examines how pop stars and evangelical Christians are running colleges offering courses validated by the University of Wales.” (I make a brief appearance, talking about validation of degrees in Chinese Medicine). In October 2008 I posted Another worthless validation: the Un... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4167972 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:45:22 +0100 4167972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159243&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fan-app-to-self-test-for-stds%2F2010.11.11 A new £5.7 million project being led by St. George’s-University of London is developing self-test devices that can plug directly into mobile phones and computers, immediately identifying sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The project is called eSTI — electronic self-testing instruments for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — and is being led by Dr. Tariq Sadiq, senior lecturer and consultant physician in sexual health and HIV at St George’s-University of London. Most of the funding is coming from The Medical Research Council and the UK Clinical Research Collaboration. The UK has seen a 36 percent rise in STIs from 2000 to 2009 — often blamed on the reluctance of the population to get diagnosed and the stigma of going to public health clinics — promp... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159243 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 23:00:06 +0100 4159243 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4105668&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-lies-of-medical-science-whats-an-e-patient-to-do%2F2010.10.25 There’s an extraordinary new article in The Atlantic entitled “Lies, Damned Lies, and Medical Science.” It echos an excellent article in our Journal of Participatory Medicine (JoPM) a year ago by Richard W. Smith, 25-year editor of the British Medical Journal, entitled ”In Search Of an Optimal Peer Review System.” JoPM, Oct 21, 2009: “….most of what appears in peer-reviewed journals is scientifically weak.” The Atlantic, Oct. 16, 2010: “Much of what medical researchers conclude in their studies is misleading, exaggerated, or flat-out wrong.” JoPM 2009: “Yet peer review remains sacred, worshiped by scientists and central to the processes of science — awarding grants, publishing, and dishing out prizes.” The Atlantic 2010: “So why are doctors — to... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4105668 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:00:09 +0100 4105668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4105671&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fshould-mom-share-her-bed-with-baby%2F2010.10.24 I’ve watched the pendulum swing back and forth on the wisdom of mom sharing her bed with a baby. The American Pediatric Society has come out against the practice, because of a higher incidence of sudden infant death. But nearly half of all British moms sleep with their baby at times, and one-fifth share a bed regularly during the first year. According to a British study published in [the October 2010 issue of] Pediatrics, the value of breastfeeding should be considered before advising mothers not to share  beds with their infants. The results showed that mothers who shared a bed with their newborns were better educated and of a higher socioeconomic status, and that those whose children routinely slept in their beds during the first 15 months of life reported a significantly gre... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4105671 Sun, 24 Oct 2010 19:00:00 +0100 4105671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074045&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FWJ03YSL7yfs%2F By Marian L. TupyThe British Telegraph reports that 250 Members of the European Parliament, along with 80 assistants and 70 bureaucrats who work for the center-right European People’s Party in the European Parliament, took a “three-day study break” at the holiday resort on the Portuguese island of Madeira. The taxpayer will pay $500,000 for the trip that included a stay in five-star hotels. The formal program included “a debate on controversial plans by the MEPs to increase the EU budget for 2011.” Great Job if You Can Get It is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074045 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:09:19 +0100 4074045 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4002868&cid=t_111603_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fbritish-tv-personality-sarah-beeny-describes-hospital-ordeal-suffering-appendicitis%2F British television personality Sarah Beeny started feeling ill after a family outing and then embarked on a bizarre and convoluted trip through the British National Health Service in an attempt to have her appendix removed. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4002868 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 17:12:42 +0100 4002868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993795&cid=t_111603_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fbritish-surgeon-james-johnsons-behavior-character-questioned-authorities%2F Former head of the British Medical Association James Johnson has been described in very unflattering terms by some British medical authorities. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993795 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 20:53:33 +0100 3993795 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3965645&cid=t_111603_136_f&fid=35302&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FWhitePebble%2F%7E3%2F2AdDJHFcA14%2F As you may have noticed — or not, seeing as you’re not here, I think — I have fled the joyous confines of Cincinnati and am now nestled in a nice, fluffy hotel room in London. It even seems to be reasonably close to the British Museum. Closer than Cincinnati at least. And I arrived just in time for the classic British autumn weather as well. Which means there was not much walking around the town done by me this afternoon due to persistent rain. Clouds etc. littering up the sky. Tragically hip youth littering up the hotel lobby. There’s actually not that much scorn in my voice as I write about these tragically hip youth because I find them so fascinating to watch. It’s like living in the zoo. I don’t think I can sneak up on them with the camera in my iPhone, thou... white pebble blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3965645 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:17:56 +0100 3965645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3891668&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmiscarriage-dont-wait-to-get-pregnant-again%2F2010.08.22 About 15 to 20 percent of women who know they are pregnant will have a miscarriage. The loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks is considered a miscarriage. Many women suffer grief and shock after a miscarriage and fear there is something wrong with them or that they did something to cause it. But the reasons for miscarriage are usually not known. Women are often told to wait “a few months” to get pregnant again to let their bodies recover. A new study published in the British Medical Journal looked at over 30,000 women who had a miscarriage in their first recorded pregnancy and subsequently became pregnant again. They found that women who conceived again within six months were less likely to have another miscarriage or problem pregnancy. They were even less likely to have a... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3891668 Sun, 22 Aug 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3891668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3890528&cid=t_111603_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FN-Vcs19a_sM%2F Do you ever have days when you wake up and everything seems wrong with the world? Hopefully for most of these types of days are not the norm but the exception. However, there are some people who see everything as ‘half-empty’ instead of ‘half-full. Using cutting-edge psychological research, I am interested in finding out if it really matters–Does it matter if we see the glass as half-empty? We are on the cusp of a new revolution in intelligence that affects every aspect of our lives from work and relationships, to our childhood, education, and old age. Working Memory, the ability to remember and mentally process information, is so important that without it we could not function as a society or as individuals. One way to visualise working memory is as the brain’s “Post-it Note�... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3890528 Sat, 21 Aug 2010 15:09:57 +0100 3890528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3822919&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpower-of-the-press-news-story-prompts-journal-study-changes%2F2010.08.04 In an unusual move, a journal has actually gone in and changed a previously-stated conclusion of a previously-published paper. This follows a Reuters Health story that raised questions about the study. Reuters reports: “A journal editor has scrubbed a line supporting the use of a L’Oreal-Nestle tanning pill from the conclusion of a company-sponsored study. The edits come days after a Reuters Health story about serious shortcomings in the report. Dr. Tanya Bleiker, editor of the British Journal of Dermatology, which published the study, told Reuters Health this week by e-mail she had changed the conclusion of the report, with the permission of the authors, and added the researchers’ financial conflicts. Half of them were employees of Laboratoires Inneov, a joint venture be... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3822919 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:00:45 +0100 3822919 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808638&cid=t_111603_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fbritish-surgeons-slam-work-restriction-rules%2F By a large majority, British surgeons are adamantly opposed to the new work rules limiting them to 48 hour weeks, saying that it harms patient safety, results in more poorly trained residents, and has not improved their private lives. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808638 Sun, 01 Aug 2010 21:40:59 +0100 3808638 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3795022&cid=t_111603_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F28%2Fsmile-open-your-eyes-love-and-go-on%2F Today marks the 2nd anniversary of Libby’s death from ovarian cancer at the age of 26. Although the family healing process continues, we celebrate Libby’s life formally on this day to honor her memory, and remind ourselves that life is precious and should not be taken for granted. Today marks the 2nd anniversary of Libby’s [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3795022 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:00:47 +0100 3795022 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3764137&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fclothing-made-of-bacteria-would-you-wear-it%2F2010.07.18 A British research project called BioCouture is working on clothing made out of bacterial cellulose that was grown in a hacked-together bioreactor. As Gizmodo notes, it’s not clear what the point of the project is, seeing how we already grow cotton in a pretty efficient manner, but we kind of like the concept nevertheless. It’s sure to be a hit in biology labs everywhere. See more pictures here: BioCouture… *This blog post was originally published at Medgadget* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3764137 Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:30:13 +0100 3764137 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3687066&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Ftodays-to-do-list-apologize-to-bp%2F photo from Reuters Last week, after Rep. Joe Barton apologized to BP for what he called the White House’s “shakedown” of the company, Republicans and Democrats alike couldn’t believe it. But you know what? Maybe there are some things for which we need to apologize to BP. ApologizeToBP.com is up and running for everyone to air the grievances that they’ve committed against BP. You can also use Twitter to show your remorse for the awful things you’ve done to BP with the hashtag #ImSorryBP. Grist did a round-up of the best apologies, and we chose a few of our faves: #ImSorryBP for not giving you your props for the 8 other oil rigs you operate that are hardly leaking at all. #ImSorryBP That people keep referring to the Exxon Valdez spill in reference to your ... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3687066 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:20:06 +0100 3687066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3678503&cid=t_111603_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fsmoking-pot-worsens-schizophrenia-symptoms%2F A study published in the June issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry has shown that schizophrenics are more sensitive to marijuana than normal users and experience better highs but have a worsening of hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms a few hours after use. The study was published by Cecile Henquet and colleagues. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3678503 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 05:16:10 +0100 3678503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3671975&cid=t_111603_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F06%2F18%2Foil-leak-and-bp-the-brits-take-tea%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Oil Leak and BP: The Brits Take Tea. Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: bp, british, brits, chaos theory, dividends, oil spill, political cartoon (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3671975 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 05:07:32 +0100 3671975 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3671695&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwho-and-h1n1-conflict-of-interest%2F2010.06.17 On June 11, 2009, Dr. Margaret Chan, the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), declared that the H1N1 flu that was then spreading around the world was an official pandemic. This triggered a series of built-in responses in many countries, including stockpiling anti-viral medications and preparing for a mass H1N1 vaccination program. At the time the flu was still in its “first wave” and the fear was that subsequent waves, as the virus swept around the world, would become more virulent and/or contagious –- similar to what happened in the 1918 pandemic. This did not happen. At least our worst fears were not realized. The H1N1 pandemic, while serious, simmered through the winter of 2009-2010, producing a less than average flu season, although with some worrisome differe... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3671695 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:00:41 +0100 3671695 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3671699&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ftoo-much-testing-and-treatment-try-superb-primary-care%2F2010.06.16 The Associated Press has been running a fantastic series of must reads with the latest article highlighting the consequence of too many imaging studies, like X-rays and CT scans, which are the biggest contributor to an individual’s total radiation exposure in a lifetime. Americans get more imaging radiation exposure and testing than people from other industrialized countries. Reasons for doing too many tests include malpractice fear, patient demands for imaging, the difficulty in obtaining imaging results from other doctors or hospitals, as well as advanced technologies, like coronary angioplasty, which have increased radiation but avoid a far more invasive surgery like heart bypass. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Saving Money and Surviving the Heal... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3671699 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3671699 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662670&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhospital-parking-another-revenue-stream%2F2010.06.15 When it comes to hospital parking, the British healthcare system is making a go at it: Using data from 126 Freedom Of Information requests, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust came top for clamping. Over a year, the hospital clamped 1,671 cars and made nearly £2m profit. Leeds General Infirmary issued the most parking tickets — over 10,000, generating £142,000 profit. The Royal Derby was the target of the most criticism — it received 82 complaints in 2008-09. I wonder what U.S. hospitals are bringing in? When a hospital owns 4,734 parking spaces, I bet they’re doing pretty well. -WesMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. *This blog post was originally published at Dr. Wes* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662670 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100 3662670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3629607&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fbp-refuses-donated-hair-to-clean-up-gulf-oil-spill%2F photo: Inhabitat Recently, hair salons and nonprofit groups across the country (including Matter of Trust) have been collecting hair and fur to send to the Gulf Coast to help clean up the BP oil spill. Hair mats and booms are a natural, non-toxic way to absorb the oil that’s polluting the Gulf of Mexico. But BP has refused to try using the donated materials that are currently filling 19 warehouses. And they haven’t just ignored the mats: BP sent out a press release saying that they were appreciative, but also told organizations to stop collecting and sending hair, because they weren’t going to use it. BP claims that the hair will sink, but there are ways of making it float. They’re also worried it’ll leave debris behind. Yes, we’re certain that hair is m... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3629607 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:27:39 +0100 3629607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614522&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbrush-up-on-heart-health%2F2010.05.30 The British Medical Journal reported on a study of toothbrushing and found that people with poor oral hygiene had an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attack. We’ve known for the last two decades that inflammation plays an important role in atherosclerosis. Markers of low-grade inflammation like C-reactive protein are also shown to be higher in heart disease. The Scottish Health researchers looked at the general population and followed a large subset with questions about their oral health. They asked about frequency of dentist visits, toothbrushing, and controlled for many co-variables such as general activity, hypertension, smoking, height and weight. They also collected blood for studies of C-reactive protein as a marker of inflammation. They removed from the... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614522 Sun, 30 May 2010 16:00:00 +0100 3614522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3607244&cid=t_111603_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fpoor-economy-causes-uk-residents-to.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3607244 Fri, 28 May 2010 14:58:00 +0100 3607244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595894&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FOQTzwXd50pc%2F The UK’s new Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition has proposed moving to a so-called ‘value-based pricing’ model for medicines, which means drugmakers would no longer be free to set prices. At the same time, a reform of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, which evaluates cost effectiveness, is also being considered, although details have not yet emerged. The plan comes as other European governments raise drug prices in the face of huge deficits. The UK’s National Health Service, for instance, is predicted to face a shortfall of more than $28 billion, suggesting the willingness to set price controls will add significant pressure on the pharmaceutical industry sooner than later. The notion, however, isn’t news. Back in 2007, the UK Offi... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595894 Tue, 25 May 2010 12:07:28 +0100 3595894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595587&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-epidemic-of-sedentary-behavior%2F2010.05.25 “I never worry about action, but only about inaction.”  — Winston Churchill Winston Churchill was right: Experts are saying sedentary behavior is an epidemic, with the resulting health effects potentially devastating. Lack of muscular activity is associated with higher incidence of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, as well as a heightened risk of death. And this is regardless of one’s level of structured physical exercise, according to the authors of an article published [recently] in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The team from Stockholm, Sweden, says that sedentary behavior has become synonymous with lack of exercise, but that this is inaccurate and misleading. Rather, sedentary behavior should be defined as whole body muscular inactivity... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595587 Tue, 25 May 2010 12:00:32 +0100 3595587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585574&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fbritains-first-abortion-ad-is-threatened-with-legal-action%2F Britain’s first abortion advertisement – a 30 second video from sexual health clinic Marie Slopes International that’s slated to air next Thursday – is causing quite the stir in the UK. Abortion advertisements are banned in the UK by law, but the organization has been able to get around the rules because of their non-profit status, and because they will not make any money from the ad. The ad is slated to air during an episode of “The Million Pound Drop Live”, a new game show, and doesn’t actually mention abortion directly. Instead, it asks “Are you late?” and directs viewers to a help line. The upcoming abortion ad has sparked great debate in the UK. Despite the organization’s technical immunity, opponents of the ad are threatening to ta... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585574 Thu, 20 May 2010 21:00:01 +0100 3585574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3569804&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fis-minimally-disruptive-medicine-an-emerging-field%2F2010.05.17 I recently stumbled onto the “Minimally Disruptive Medicine” blog maintained by Dr. Victor Montori from the Mayo Clinic. I have to admit that the name caught my attention so I scoped it out. According to Dr. Montori, “minimally disruptive medicine refers to the practice of medicine that seeks to design effective treatment programs for patients while minimizing the burden of treatment.”  He describes this as an emerging field. I have to admit that I was simultaneously puzzled and intrigued. After all, how is this different from the way good medicine is practiced? I, for one, like to think that I create individually-tailored programs that meet my patients’ needs while minimizing their treatment burden. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at 3... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3569804 Mon, 17 May 2010 12:00:42 +0100 3569804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3526725&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fheqs31Ut9lk%2F By adminBritain may have given the world freedom as we understand it (i.e. see The Liberty of Ancients Compared with that of Moderns by Benjamin Constant), but you would not know it from the last prime ministerial debate that took place last Thursday. The candidates (Conservative David Cameron, Labour’s Gordon Brown and Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg) used the word “freedom” only 2 times. They said the word “free” 5 times, but all in the context of the supposedly “free” goodies, which they promised to lavish on the electorate. Words “responsible” and “responsibility” fared somewhat better (4 times). But the winning words were “fair” and “fairness” that were mentioned 22 times — almost always in connection with taxing the rich. Here is a typical example: Bro... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3526725 Mon, 03 May 2010 15:37:16 +0100 3526725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3499309&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FLz3zbR0ti1A%2F Drugmakers lost a legal battle against programs promoted by the UK’s National Health Service that encourage docs to prescribe cheaper meds. The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry had argued NHS incentives were an illegal inducement under strict European rules on promotion. But the European Court of Justice ruled they complied with European Union advertising legislation (see the ABPI statement). Under the programs, UK medical practices are rewarded for switching patients to generics or prescribing them to new patients who would otherwise get more expensive patented meds. Individual docs who share in the profits of medical practices could ultimately benefit from the incentives, prompting drugmakers to argue they breached an EU ban on incentives for prescribing, Reuters ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3499309 Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:44:44 +0100 3499309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420421&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F3-cool-things-7%2F Three things we like, in no particular order, from Blisstree to you: Bloomin’ Plantable Seed Paper – Stationery made of 100 percent recycled paper mixed with wildflower seeds that bloom when the cards are buried after use. Surf Sister – Surf camps and lessons in Tofino, British Columbia, led by an all-female staff. Moop – Simple, beautiful handmade bags created in Pittsburgh. (And some are organic cotton!) Post from: BlissTree 3 Cool Things (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420421 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:32:58 +0100 3420421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750300&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCanadianMedicine%2F%7E3%2Fy2HY-vPyPT4%2Fin-news-ottawa-takes-another-stab-at.html Insite ruling appealed, againThe federal government has -- for the second time -- elected to appeal a British Columbia court's ruling that the supervised injection Insite does not fall under federal jurisdiction because it is a health facility. [CBC News] The news of Ottawa's intention to re-appeal sparked protests in Vancouver during the Olympics. [Globe and Mail] Read our previous coverage of the BC Court of Appeal's January decision that found against Ottawa. [Canadian Medicine]Isotope shortfall to worsenA radioisotope shortfall appears imminent, with western Canada likely to suffer to brunt of the damage, as a European reactor gets set to shut off for repairs and the Chalk River plant, in Ontario, remains closed for repairs. [Globe and Mail]Layton has cancerNDP leader and federal MP Ja... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750300 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100 3750300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3318375&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fi1APIXzOtPU%2F By Andrew J. CoulsonWhen you erase a test score and write in a new one for your own benefit, that’s cheating, right? So what is it when you do this several thousand times? Ofqual, the British education standards regulator, “secretly downgraded the GCSE [General Certificate of Secondary Education test] results of thousands of pupils to avoid public fury over dumbed-down tests,” reports the Daily Mail. “Fearing a row over inflated results, Ofqual’s chief executive ordered all exam boards to cut the number of pupils getting top scores just two days before marks were finalized.” The argument for national education standards is based on a host of unexamined and incorrect assumptions. One is the belief that the authorities overseeing such standards (and ass... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3318375 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:05:15 +0100 3318375 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294543&cid=t_111603_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F21%2Fworrying-wordpress-shut-down-a-blog-of-a-student-critizing-the-naturopath-christopher-maloney%2F Last Thursday PZ Myers, author of the very successful science blog Pharyngula tweeted that Christopher Maloney was a quack” (see first tweet below). Prior to that tweet I’d never heard of Christopher Maloney. I used to be rather indifferent about homeopaths and other people practicing CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine), thinking that it might help some [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294543 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:59:19 +0100 3294543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3248566&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F07%2Fwatching-others-do-good-clean-scents-promote-altruism%2F What would you say if I told you that simply observing people thanking others induced more altruism? The simple act of watching someone else do something uplifting or a good deed motivates us to also do good. At least that’s what researchers found in a recent demonstration of this effect at the University of Plymouth. In two experiments, researchers (Schnall et al., 2010) tested the level of altruistic behaviors amongst female students by asking them to view TV clips of three kinds — a neutral clip showing scenes from a nature documentary, an uplifting segment from “The Oprah Winfrey Show” showing musicians thanking their mentors, or a clip from a British comedy, intended to induce mirth. When asked if they wanted to participate in another study (in the first experiment), ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3248566 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:05:48 +0100 3248566 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3205134&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fin-news-government-loses-appeal-to.html Government loses appeal to close InsiteThe BC Court of Appeal rejected the federal government's appeal of a lower court's decision that Ottawa has no power to shut down the Vancouver supervised-injection site Insite. [BC Court of Appeal decision]The judges' reasoning relied on a complex and sure-to-be-divisive argument about weighing provincial jurisdiction over health matters versus federal jurisdiction over law enforcement.The federal government has not yet said whether or not it will appeal to the BC Supreme Court.New Alberta health minister jumps into actionGene Zwozdesky was selected to replace Rockin' Ron Liepert as Alberta's health minister in a recent cabinet shuffle, and Mr Zwozdesky has not hesitated in getting involved in the province's healthcare disputes. [Edmonton Journal]He ... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3205134 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0100 3205134 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200483&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2F23%2Fbrace-yourselves-for-jan-24-the-most-depressing-day-of-the-year%2F I wanted to give you guys a few days notice … to brace yourself for … the most depressing day of the year! According to Dr. Cliff Arnalls, a British psychologist with Cardiff University, it’s almost like clockwork. A number of factors coincide to make Sunday, January 24th “the perfect storm” when it comes to feeling down. According to Dr. Arnalls, an expert on seasonal disorders, a number of factors “line up” to give this date in late January this dubious distinction: While it is not technically the day with the least sunlight - that’s December 21st, the “Winter Solstice” - weather patterns often conspire in late January to deprive us of the sunlight we might otherwise enjoy, Christmas bills come due around this time, and - espec... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3200483 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:42:10 +0100 3200483 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201903&cid=t_111603_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation%2FwAgT%2F%7E3%2F3yPsSekzrSs%2F CONCLUSIONS: This systematic analysis of a small sample of alcohol dependent individuals gives insight into their experiences during alcohol dependency and the journey to recovery. The findings suggest that denial of the problem to the outside world occurs simultaneously with individuals being aware of their problem. Participants felt the illness carries a stigma and their negative experiences of health professionals other than GP’s suggests that nurses and other health workers need to revise their understanding of alcohol dependence and their approach to it. AA was a significant factor in recovery for these participants. Research report; J Fam Health Care. 2007;17(6):211-4. Experiences of alcohol dependence: a qualitative study. Dyson J. See also; BriefTSF is designed to help br... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201903 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:19:38 +0100 3201903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3118877&cid=t_111603_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2544   Snow on December 18th                             Roaring fire Lindy contributes acute comments regularly here.  She is also an accomplished musician.  She has kindly allowed me to post here four of her re-written carols. Adam lay ybounden  |  Hark the Herald  |  Holly and the Ivy  |  Merry Gentlemen Adam lay ybounden The Middle English dialect is not easy to follow, so the original is reproduced in the right hand column.  The original, sung by choir of King’s College Chapel, is on YouTube. Atoms lay y’bounden In primordial soup; Six billion years did pass A’fore they coul... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3118877 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:40:12 +0100 3118877 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048362&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fwill-temporary-phone-consult-billing.html At the beginning of October, in recognition of the strain that this fall's return of the H1N1 flu would put on its physicians, British Columbia offered the medical community a gift: PG13705. That's the billing code that pays doctors $14.74 for dispensing advice on the pandemic flu to their patients via telephone.The fee has proven popular. In the first month it was made available to doctors, the provincial insurance plan paid 16,785 claims for PG13705. That's a quarter of a million dollars for that billing code alone, and that was largely before the H1N1 flu really came surging back around the beginning of November.But just as the government giveth, the government can taketh away. When it's decided it's no longer needed to support doctors dealing with flu patients, PG13705 will disappear "... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048362 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:00:00 +0100 3048362 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012639&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FR19dKQZgAIU%2F Canada’s Health Committee plans to review the controversial appointment of a Pfizer exec to the board of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the government agency that oversees health research in Canada, The Tyee reports. Bernard Prigent, Pfizer Canada’s medical director, was appointed last month to the CIHR’s governing council (see here). Last month, CIHR president Alain Beaudet said that he hopes to create closer ties with industry to ensure involvemetn and investment, but the move has stirred concerns since the organization is responsible for allocating research funding across the country, the paper writes. “There’s no place in our scientific organizations like CIHR for a drug company official,” NDP MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis, tells The Tyee. “It’s shocking ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012639 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:55:49 +0100 3012639 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3004098&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fwhats-in-news-nov-18-will-feds-permit.html Trying to make crack saferVancouver may get a supervised crack-smoking clinic. PHS Community Services, which also operates the supervised injection site Insite, would like to set up the crack-smoking clinic but federal officials would have to provide an exemption to the relevant drug-control laws. [Globe and Mail] Needless to say, the idea is a controversial one. [Vancouver Courier]Emergency military mental-health team formedThe Canadian Forces created an emergency mental-health squad to respond to soldiers' urgent psychological problems. Major Rakesh Jetly, mental health adviser to the Forces' surgeon general, said they will study soldiers' suicides to find out how to prevent more from occurring. [Toronto Star] This tacit admission by the military should go some way to appeasing members o... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3004098 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100 3004098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2984987&cid=t_111603_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F11%2Fucla-researchers-significantly-inhibit-growth-of-ovarian-cancer-cell-lines-with-fda-approved-leukemia-drug-dasatinib-sprycel%25c2%25ae%2F The drug dasatinib (Sprycel®), approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in patients with specific types of leukemia, significantly inhibited the growth and invasiveness of ovarian cancer cells and also promoted their death, say UCLA researchers in the November 10th issue of the British Journal of Cancer. The drug, when paired with [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2984987 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:45:53 +0100 2984987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2876095&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2F09%2Fcandy-violence-correlation-causation-and-association%2F Week after week, month after month, the health (and mental health) news headlines blare with the latest “link” between two things. Take, for instance, a few articles from just this past week we’ve published… Childhood cancer? Less likely to marry. Obese? Depression is more likely. Eat licorice while pregnant? Your child may have a smaller IQ. And my favorite from the past week? Eat candy as a child? You’re going to become a criminal. Researchers seem content to draw these correlations, knowing full well their data shed little light on the actual problem. Instead, what they manage to do is to shed a whole lot of brain cells. Ours. I’ll pick on the candy study because it’s low-lying fruit and it’s easy to make fun of. Let’s look at the da... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2876095 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:11:10 +0100 2876095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2865731&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2F06%2Fone-thing-i-still-dont-understand%2F The British Psychological Society has been publishing the Research Digest blog since 2003, bringing you short summaries of psychological research for 6 years. To mark the occasion of its 150th email edition, the editors have invited some of the “world’s leading psychologists to look inwards and share, in 150 words, one nagging thing they still don’t understand about themselves. Their responses are by turns candid, witty and thought-provoking.” You can check out Marty Seligman’s battle with self-control and weight loss, Paul Ekman’s disagreements with the Dalai Lama and Sue Gardner’s note about being aware of excessive introspection without a guide. These are interesting snippets from some interesting psychologists. My only wish was that they were ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2865731 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:32:46 +0100 2865731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2790270&cid=t_111603_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2222 In July 2008 I wrote an editorial in the New Zealand Medical Journal (NZMJ), at the request of its editor. The title was  Dr Who? deception by chiropractors.  It was not very flattering and it resulted in a letter from lawyers representing the New Zealand Chiropractic Association.  Luckily the editor of the NZMJ, Frank Frizelle, is a man of principle, and the legal action was averted. It also resulted in some interesting discussions with disillusioned chiropractors that confirmed one’s worst fears.  Not to mention revealing the internecine warfare between one chiropractor and another. This all occurred before the British Chiropractic Association sued Simon Singh for defamation.  The strength of the reaction to that foolhardy action now has chiropractors wond... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2790270 Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:00:43 +0100 2790270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2741442&cid=t_111603_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F7zh1Qoin8wE%2F If you’re stressed and you can’t mow your lawn (Need to Relax? Mow Your Lawn), maybe you should follow the lead of the people in the United Kingdom and have a nice cup of tea. A British psychologist looked into the age-old tradition of making a cup of tea whenever something goes wrong. He recruited 42 volunteers who were given a mental arithmetic exam. After, 21 of the volunteers drank a cup of tea and 21 a glass of water. Would you believe that the people who drank water saw their anxiety levels rise by 25% while those who drank tea saw their anxiety levels drop by 4%. As part of the research, a polling company learned that almost 70% of people in Britain will reach for a cup of tea during a troubled time. Comfort and warmth was the most common reason, but almost half of the t... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2741442 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:44:15 +0100 2741442 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2737696&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FyPNJcGHYRgM%2F A Bloomberg story on one cause of the ongoing British economic disaster under Prime Minister Gordon Brown: Andrew Wesbecher moved to London from New York in 2006 to sell software to banks and hedge funds. This month he joined the exodus of American expatriates fleeing high taxes and the city’s shrinking financial industry . . . Americans are heading home as Britain plans a 50 percent tax rate for those who earn more than 150,000 pounds ($248,000) a year and employers cut benefits for workers living abroad, reducing the allure of London. That comes a year after the U.K. said foreigners who have lived in the country for more than seven years must pay 30,000 pounds annually or give up the special status that shields overseas income from British taxes. Since the 1980s, London has boomed as a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2737696 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:30:19 +0100 2737696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2702306&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fbrits-too-tired-for-sex%2F Feeling too tired for sex? Well, if you’re living in Britain you are not alone. A recent study by Nuffield Health, a non-profit organization, has found that on the whole, Britain has turned into a ‘couch potato nation’, too lazy to get up and change the television channel if the remote was broken and simply too tired for sex. The results, which come from a poll conducted of more than 2000 adults throughout Britain, showed that… 36  percent would not run to catch a bus 52 percent of dog owners can’t be bothered walking the dog 73 percent have no energy for sex 64 percent are too tired to play with their children 59 percent took the lift instead of walking up even two flights of stairs It’s almost as if all the Brits want to do is sit and vegetate. With results like tha... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2702306 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 23:58:48 +0100 2702306 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2670815&cid=t_111603_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2007 Conclusion Recent events show that the halcyon days for alternative medicine are over. When the Pittilo report first appeared, it was greeted with derision in the media. For example, in The Times Alice Miles wrote “This week came the publication of the Report to Ministers from the Department of Health Steering Group on the Statutory Regulation of Practitioners of Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Other Traditional Medicine Systems Practised in the UK. Otherwise known as twaddle.” In the Independent, Dominic Lawson wrote So now we will have degrees in quackery. What, really, is the difference between acupuncture and psychic surgery? People will no doubt continue to use it and that is their right and their responsibility. But if the government w... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2670815 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:45:35 +0100 2670815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2649004&cid=t_111603_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1980 Jump to follow-up Today, 29 July 2009, a large number of magazines and blogs will publish simultaneously Simon Singh’s article. The Guardian was forced to withdraw it, but what he said must be heard (even if the word ‘bogus’ is now missing). This is an edited version if the article in the Guardian that resulted in the decision of the British Chiropractic Association to sue Singh for libel. That decision was bad for Singh, though its effects could yet be good for the rest of the world, Firstly the decision to use law rather than rational argument stands a good chance of destroying chiropractic entirely because its claims have now come under scrutiny as never before, and they have been found wanting. Secondly, the support for Singh has been so enormous that there must now b... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2649004 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:01:55 +0100 2649004 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2602003&cid=t_111603_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1882 It’s good to see the BMJ joining the campaign for free speech (only a month or two behind the blogs). The suing of Simon Singh for defamation by the British Chiropractic Association has stirred up a hornet’s nest that could (one hopes) change the law of the land, and destroy chiropractic altogether. The BMJ’s editor, Fiona Godlee, has a fine editorial, Keep the libel laws out of science. She starts “I hope all readers of the BMJ are signed up to organised scepticism” and says “Weak science sheltered from criticism by officious laws means bad medicine. Singh is determined to fight the lawsuit rather than apologise for an article he believes to be sound. He and his supporters have in their sights not only the defence of this case but the reform of England&... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2602003 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 07:53:13 +0100 2602003 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2598305&cid=t_111603_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FnuIztdRmoqs%2F New research out of the UK says that middle-aged British men are more likely to become Type 2 diabetic than their female counterparts. Over 92,000 men have diabetes, compared with about 47,000 women. The study, from charity Diabetes UK, confirmed that men “35 to 54 are almost twice as likely to have diabetes as women.” Overall, the poor diet and health habits are blamed for this discrepancy. Still, these figures struck me as odd, since poor lifestyle generally happens with both men and women. If a household is generally sedentary, it usually means everyone in the house slacks off on exercise and eating right. I’d say more research on this one definitely needs to be done. Image: sxc.hu. Share and Enjoy: Post from: Blisstree Men More Likely to G... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2598305 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:19:56 +0100 2598305 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2553030&cid=t_111603_88_f&fid=35612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheknifeman.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fthings-that-made-me-smile.html Recently discovered that Jose, one of my juniors studied very small ants as part of her journey into medicine. I'm not enormously bothered by ants per se, but there's just something about this that is immensely pleasing.Take it or leave it.On a more sour note, the British and Irish Lions lost their series against the SpringBoks this weekend. I've got a 101 reasons why they didn't deserve to, but that just makes me sound even whinier than usual, and as a Brit, I don't need a great deal of help doing this. (Source: The KnifeMan) The KnifeMan blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2553030 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:18:00 +0100 2553030 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2522999&cid=t_111603_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1812 Here is a short break from the astonishing festival of chiropractic that has followed the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) v Simon Singh defamation case, and the absurd NICE guidance on low back pain. Singh’s statement already has over 10000 signatories, many very distinguished, Sign it now if you haven’t already. And getting on for 600 separate complaints about exaggerated and false claims by chiropractors have been lodged with the General Chiropractic Council and with Trading Standards offices. Click to sign The BCA has exposed the baselessness of most of chiropractic’s claims more effectively than any sceptic could have done. The University of Westminster is seeing the light? It is only recently that the University of Westminster suspended entr... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2522999 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:09:31 +0100 2522999 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2523001&cid=t_111603_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1775 Conclusion Chiropractic spinal manipulation is no more effective than placebo in the treatment of infantile colic. This study emphasises the need for placebo controlled and blinded studies when investigating alternative methods to treat unpredictable conditions such as infantile colic. More on this dishonest selectivity can be found at Holfordwatch. No doubt there will soon be more analyses of what passes, in the eyes of the BCA, for evidence, The nine papers they cite for colic are truly pathetic. Not a single one of them amounts to anything that would be recognised as evidence in the real world. And papers that do provide real evidence are not mentioned. Follow-up As always, the blogs provided a very fast response to a document that appeared only late last night.  And, as always,... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2523001 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:58:20 +0100 2523001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2523002&cid=t_111603_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1764 A flood of complaints against chiropractors has arrived at the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) in the wake of the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) v Singh affair. It is really rather beautiful that people have put some such enormous effort into writing complaints for no gain to themselves. My own paltry two complaints to the GCC produced an interesting reaction. Yesterday I was told by the GCC “Under the provisions of the General Chiropractic Council (Investigating Committee) Rules 2000 (”the Rules”), the Committee is required to invite you to make a statement of evidence in relation to your complaint by way of statutory declaration or affidavit. If you wish to, you can discuss your complaint with a solicitor who acts on behalf of the Committee who could help y... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2523002 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:20:49 +0100 2523002 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473435&cid=t_111603_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1718 Jump to follow-up Peter Dixon is a chiropractor. He is chair of the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). He was also a member of the hotly-disputed NICE low back pain guidance group that endorsed (you guessed it) the use of chiropractic, a decision that has led to enormous criticism of the standards of the National Institute of health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). As a consequence largely of the decision of the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) to sue Simon Singh for defamation, there has been an unprecedented interest taken in the claims made by chiropractors in general. Peter Dixon has a problem because something like 600 individual complaints about unjustified health claims have been sent to the GCC. Even when a web site does not claim to be able to benefit things like asthma and ... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473435 Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:17:33 +0100 2473435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473436&cid=t_111603_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1704 Jump to follow-up This is another short interruption in the epic self-destruction of chiropractors.  In a sense it is more serious.  One expects quacks to advocate quackery.  What you don’t expect is that the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) will endorse it.  Neither do you expect the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to betray its mandate to make sure that medicines work. The saga of the NICE low back pain guidance has been the subject of a deluge of criticism, It seems doubtful that the guidance can survive, not least because of its absurd endorsement of chiropractic, at a time when chiropractic is undergoing self-immolation as a consequence of the persecution of Simon Singh by the British Chiropractic Association (see he... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473436 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:37:28 +0100 2473436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2469530&cid=t_111603_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1686 Jump to follow-up That isn’t my title. It is the title of a post by Richard Lanigan, a chiropractor with whom I’ve been corresponding. He has a major grudge against the General Chiropractic Council. And in particular he is disaffected about the GCC’s chair, Peter Dixon, about whom he has written a lot, I can’t judge the details of his complaints, but they are laid out in detail on his blog, http://chiropracticlive.com/ Particular interest attaches to his recent revelation of a letter that was sent on July 8th to its members by the McTimoney Chiropractic Association. The McTimoney sect of chiropractic are the ‘true believers’ in the most mystical codswallop aspects of the subject. Oddly enough their College has been validated by the University of Wales, I... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2469530 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:06:18 +0100 2469530 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452540&cid=t_111603_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1630 The battle for freedom of speech is under way. Simon Singh is a great science writer and communicator. He is author of The Big Bang, The Code Book, Fermat’s Last Theorem, and, with Edzard Ernst, Trick or Treatment. They are superb books (buy from Amazon). When Singh had the temerity to express an honest opinion, based on the evidence, about that very curious branch of alternative medicine known as chiropractic, the British Chiropractic Association sued Singh for defamation.This was their substitute for producing evidence for their bizarre claims. Chiropractors seem to be particularly fond of litigation, perhaps because they are so short of evidence. Having had legal threats from them myself, I know how scary it can be, Luckily I was saved by a feisty a journal editor.  Sing... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452540 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:02:26 +0100 2452540 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2406240&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fliberals-win-third-straight-majority-in.html The results are in, and so is the Liberal Party, yet again.Gordon Campbell's Liberals managed once again to defeat the NDP in the BC provincial election, winning 49 seats -- 13 more than the opposition's 36. The Liberals received 46% of the popular vote, the NDP 42%.Before the election was called, the Liberals held 42 seats and the NDP 34. (Six new ridings were created for this election and three seats were vacant.) The Green Party failed to win any seats.Despite problems during the Liberals' tenure in healthcare (as Canadian Medicine reported on last week), voters apparently were reluctant to put the "untested leader" Carole James in power and so chose Mr Campbell (pictured above) to attempt to dig the province out of the recession, as well as to lead the province through next year's Olym... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2406240 Wed, 13 May 2009 14:43:00 +0100 2406240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2399250&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fbc-election-longterm-care-is-big-health.html The NDP now trail the Liberals by just two percentage points in an Angus Reid poll released on Friday. [Globe and Mail] Of course, who knows if those numbers are accurate measurements of voters' intentions? A Mustel Research Group poll released just yesterday had the Liberals, led by Premier Gordon Campbell (right), nine points ahead of the NDP. [CBC News] Simon Fraser political scientist Kennedy Stewart's prediction model has the Liberals winning another majority. [The Tyee]One of the biggest healthcare issues in the campaign has been longterm care and the number of new longterm care beds created by the government. The NDP -- backed on this claim by the BC Medical Association -- blasted the government for failing to create the 5,000 longterm care beds it promised. The government maintains... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2399250 Fri, 08 May 2009 20:04:00 +0100 2399250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2390448&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fprovincial-elections-take-precedence.html One of the major fallacies commonly held about the Canadian healthcare "system" is that there is such a thing in the singular. The truth of the matter is that beyond providing funding and assessing some apparently arbitrary nominal fines for violations of the Canada Health Act, the federal government has little influence in creating or implementing the health policies that affect the majority of Canadians. Canada has health systems, plural. Counting each province's ministry of health plus Ottawa's administration of healthcare for First Nations, soldiers, veterans and prisoners, there are fourteen distinct systems.Nevertheless, there is often much talk during federal election campaigns about threats to medicare or efforts to kickstart healthcare reform when instead those matters pertain to ... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2390448 Tue, 05 May 2009 19:47:00 +0100 2390448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348535&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F04%2F20%2Fhappy-14th-birthday-psych-central%2F So here we are, 14 years later after Psych Central first went online in 1995. And what a great 14 years it’s been! If you had asked me 14 years ago, “Hey, John, will this little dinky mental health website still be around 14 years from now?” I would’ve guessed “No.” Of course, I would’ve been happily wrong. The latest stats out from Media Metrix/Comscore shows that Psych Central reaches as many people each month as the British Medical Journal, the famed Mayo Clinic, and even our friends over at the American Psychological Association. But we’re not stopping — we’re experiencing one of the best growth rates for sites in our niche — mental health & psychology — and will continue to provide you with an interesting an... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348535 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:00:51 +0100 2348535 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349267&cid=t_111603_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2Fwg_sMacSDno%2F HA! Don’t laugh, but this study found genetic evidence that our neighbors across the pond have a unique sense of humor, and apparently it’s the negative kind. Twins share a humor gene A survey of 4,000 twins suggested that British humor, those that are filled with sarcasm and self-deprecation, is linked to genes in British men and women, but not shared by Americans! The “positive” kind of humor, like telling jokes and looking on the bright side, is shared by both sides of the Atlantic. But the negative kind, like biting sarcasm and teasing, are genetically linked only in Britain. The researchers admit that developing a taste for either kind of humor is an interplay between genes and the environment but it’s interesting to note the difference between the two nationalities. But her... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349267 Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:15:00 +0100 2349267 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2287238&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F19%2Fwhat-was-jama-and-catherine-deangelis-thinking%2F While I was down in Austin at SXSW this past week, there was a rare glimpse into the big egos that run the journal business in the world. As you may know, publishing research articles is a business, and because it involves prestigious reputations — both on the journal and academia side — there is a lot of ego involved. Lots. So imagine if you’re sitting at the head of one of the world’s most prestigious and respected journals, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and an academic — not from Harvard or Yale, but from Lincoln Memorial University — calls you on the carpet for failing to conduct a very good peer-review on a peer-reviewed paper appearing in JAMA: Jonathan Leo, a professor of neuroanatomy at Lincoln Memorial University, wrot... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2287238 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:58:03 +0100 2287238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2259410&cid=t_111603_122_f&fid=35061&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneurologyminutiae.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fbritish-medical-journal-lies-goes-on.html Ordinarily, we do not mix medicine and politics on this site. However, we do believe in academic freedom and honesty, and fear that an attack on any is an attack on the rights of all that will ultimately end badly. While we do hold views on truth in the Middle East conflicts, these thoughts are not germane to this article. Rather, we have a major issue with a medical journal leaving science, entering politics, where it does not belong, committing gross errors of fact, and then attacking the organization that pointed out the errors. While arrogance is not in short supply at the BMJ, a commitment to accuracy and truth is deficient in this case. We feel we have the obligation to report the BMJ mistakes so that our readers can keep a cool head when digesting what they read.Honestreporting.com,... neurologyminutiae blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2259410 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:13:00 +0100 2259410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2228345&cid=t_111603_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F01%2Ffertility-treatments-unlikely-to-raise-ovarian-cancer-risk%2F Ovarian cancer risk was no greater for women who used any of four different groups of fertility drugs [gonadotrophins, clomifenes, human chorionic gonadotrophin, and gonadotrophin releasing hormone] than for those who had not used these drugs. Of the ovarian cancer cases that did occur in this cohort, 58 percent were serous tumors—occurring in the outer [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2228345 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 03:23:06 +0100 2228345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2195224&cid=t_111603_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Fplanning-a-pregnancy-read-this-first%2F Most women are aware of the need to follow certain nutrition and lifestyle guidelines after they become pregnant, but did you know that it’s actually important to begin these regimens well before you begin to start a family? Most likely you knew about recommendations to take pre-natal vitamins and not to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes during pregnancy, but it’s equally important to start these behaviors much earlier, before you plan to become pregnant, so that you’ll be “covered” from the moment pregnancy occurs. But recent research has found that few women follow pre-pregnancy recommendations. In fact, a study just published online in the British Medical Journal found that only three percent of women who became pregnant were taking the recommended vitamins... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2195224 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:11:30 +0100 2195224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2006514&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FBreastfeeding123%2F%7E3%2FVQRmM-ERPoo%2F One of the ValuTales series of books my 6- and 4-year-olds enjoy depicts the story of real-life prison reformer Elizabeth Gurney Fry. Fry was a Quaker woman who initiated prison reform for the women and children living in Newgate Prison in the early 1800s. Fast forward 200 years. What are the conditions like in the women’s prisons near you today? What would Elizabeth Fry think of a prison system that separates mothers and children without provision for breastfeeding babies? Remember how Olympic athlete Marion Jones had to wean her baby before she began to serve her prison sentence? What if she could have continued to breastfeed? There is something you can do to support prison reform for breastfeeding mothers and babies. If you are in Canada, read on for specific action you can take. ... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2006514 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:32:21 +0100 2006514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1998876&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fofficer-arrest-this-smirking-crook.html source : guidofawkes (Source: NHS Blog Doctor) NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1998876 Sun, 30 Nov 2008 13:20:00 +0100 1998876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1984769&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fback-to-good-old-days.html It seems that Gordon is going to increase the top rate of tax by 5p in the pound for those earning over £150,000 a year. If he does, it’s another broken promise, another abandonment of self-determined principals. Mind you, it is difficult to be angry about the prospect of those earning this level of salary paying a little more tax if that will help us out of the economic crisis.Tory boy Matthew Elliot, of the right wing Taxpayers’ Alliance, is not happy but then he wouldn't be, would he?  His organisation is run for and supported by a wide array of British fatcattery.The Taxpayers' Alliance described the move as "a totally backward step".Its chief executive Matthew Elliott said: "To recover from the recession, Britain needs to be a low tax, competitive economy, not one that punishes ... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1984769 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:09:00 +0100 1984769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1924861&cid=t_111603_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fzimney%2Fplacebo-prescribing-whats-your-opinion%2F Let’s talk about placebos, and in particular about how you’d feel if you found out that your doctor had prescribed something for you that he or she believed actually had no activity against your illness other than a psychological effect. But instead of calling it a placebo, he or she told you that the prescription was for “a medicine not typically used for your condition but which might benefit you.” Would you be okay with it figuring that your doctor had your best interests in mind and was trying, as best he or she knew how, to help alleviate your symptoms, or would you be angry, feeling that you’d been misled, or worse, the victim of fraud? However you feel, it seems that placebo prescribing may be more common than you think. A new study, conducted in the Un... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1924861 Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:12:50 +0100 1924861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1806511&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fcanadas-healthcare-protectionism.html For the first time ever, the Canadian government is facing a legal threat over the question of whether restrictions on foreign private investment in the healthcare sector are in violation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Embassy magazine's Luke Eric Peterson reports in a column published yesterday.Mr Peterson writes:Successive governments—both Liberal and Conservative—have long insisted that Canadian trade negotiators succeeded in "grandfathering" medicare under the North American Free Trade Agreement. In other words, our health care system -— at least as it stood in 1994 when the NAFTA came into force —- is beyond the reach of foreign insurance companies and HMOs seeking to re-model it after the U.S. system.What's less clear, however, is whether the ongoing flir... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1806511 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:07:00 +0100 1806511 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1704982&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fhealth-ministers-aids-conference.html Canadian Health Minister Tony Clement's repudiation last week of harm reduction strategies for treating drug addicts was "pretty embarrassing," as one Ottawa AIDS activist described the incident.Mr Clement (right), repeating one of his favourite talking points, declared:"Allowing and/or encouraging people to inject heroin into their veins is not harm reduction, it is the opposite... We believe it is a form of harm addition."Of course, that Mr Clement is opposed to harm reduction is no secret. (He asked Justice Minister Rob Nicholson to appeal a decision by a British Columbia judge that prevents the federal government from shutting down Vancouver's safe-injection site, Insite.)What was surprising and particularly embarrassing about his announcement last week wasn't really the content of his... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1704982 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:27:00 +0100 1704982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1652436&cid=t_111603_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Falcohol-and-personal-tragedy%2F Alcohol hospital admissions hide individual tragedies, say doctors (issued Tuesday 22 Jul 2008) The new government figures released today (Tuesday 22 July 2008) revealing that 811,000 people in England were admitted to hospital with alcohol misuse problems in 2006 hide the individual tragedies that hospital frontline staff see day in day out, said the British Medical Association. The BMA’s Head of Science and Ethics, Dr Vivienne Nathanson, added: “While this figure is rightly very frightening and shocking, it also hides the hundreds and thousands of individual tragedies that doctors witness every day. Alcohol misuse is related to over 60 medical conditions including heart and liver disease, diabetes, strokes and mental health problems – it costs the NHS millions of pounds every year ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1652436 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1652436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1622996&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F335427241%2F The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority, the industry’s UK regulatory body, gives the drugmaker a six-month suspension after concluding an investigation into charges Roche sold large quantities of its Xenical diet pill to the operator of a chain of private UK diet clinics, despite suspicions the pills were being sold illegally. The action follows a formal complaint from Ryta Kuzel, former head of Roche’s UK regulatory affairs, who was fired by the drugmaker shortly after the start of investigations into Xenical supplies in 2005. However, internal Roche documents shown as part of Kuzel’s case indicated Roche execs raised concerns that Robin Huxley, the operator of a chain of private slimming clinics, might be selling Xenical not only to his own clients, but also on to th... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1622996 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:48:50 +0100 1622996 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1488163&cid=t_111603_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F302807307%2F That famous stiff upper lip, it turns out, may well get you through the after-effects of shock much better than spilling your guts to a therapist. The popular assumption is that talking about a terrifying experience, such as a terrorist attack or natural disaster, can be therapeutic and helpful. But new evidence suggests “getting it off your chest” may not be the right thing to do. Psychologists in the US used an online survey to test people’s responses to the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. Those who chose to express their thoughts and feelings were compared with those who did not over a two-year period. To their surprise, individuals who bottled up their feelings ended up better off. They suffered fewer negative mental and physical health... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1488163 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:34:30 +0100 1488163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1480930&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Finsite-decisions-aftershocks-shake.html In the halls of Parliament, on the pages of newspapers across the country and in international scientific journals, the aftershocks from the Tuesday decision by the British Columbia Supreme Court's Justice Ian Pitfield, which saved Insite and ruled a portion of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act unconstitutional, are still reverberating. (For more on the decision, see our article published Wednesday.)PARLIAMENTARY DISSENTYesterday, the government launched a retaliatory rhetorical salvo against Justice Pitfield and the proponents of supervised injection. During a briefing at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health, Health Minister Tony Clement announced that he will ask Justice Minister Rob Nicholson to appeal Justice Pitfield's decision."In my opinion supervised injection is... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1480930 Fri, 30 May 2008 16:10:00 +0100 1480930 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1478231&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Ftony-clement-responds-to-insite.html Yesterday afternoon in Parliament, during question period, Vancouver East NDP MP Libby Davies gleefully turned the knife in the government's wound inflicted by yesterday's BC Supreme Court ruling in favour of Insite, the downtown Vancouver safe-injection site.Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP): Mr. Speaker, yesterday B.C.'s Supreme Court decision makes it abundantly clear that Insite, the supervised injection facility in east Vancouver, is a health facility. The ruling also makes it clear that closing Insite would be “inconsistent with the state’s interest in fostering individual and community health, and preventing death and disease”. Can the Minister of Health assure the House today that his Conservative government will abide by the court's decision and not appeal this importan... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1478231 Thu, 29 May 2008 13:46:00 +0100 1478231 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1475431&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fvancouver-safe-injection-site-saved-by.html The uncertainty is over.Insite, the downtown Vancouver safe-injection site (pictured right) and the subject of a great deal controversy across Canada, cannot be cancelled by the Conservative federal government, a number of news outlets reported today. The government had been equivocating about granting Insite another exemption from federal drug statutes.And that's not all: yesterday's ruling by BC Supreme Court justice Ian Pitfield also found sections of Canadian federal drug law, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, to be unconstitutional, for violating drug users' rights under Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which reads: "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the ... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1475431 Wed, 28 May 2008 19:54:00 +0100 1475431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1466289&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F296662894%2F In an effort to keep a lid on rising prescription-drug costs, the health ministry in Canada’s British Columbia convened a special task force to examine the process by which the provincial government agrees to cover medications through its Pharmacare program. And the results, which the government accepted, are drawing criticism. Of the many recommendations (here’s the report), one particular notion is being counterproductive - scrapping the Therapeutics Initiative, an independent group that evaluates meds and issues reports to Pharmacare for coverage decisions. The task force would like to ensure the watchdog group has no future role in coverage, a recommendation that Alan Cassels, a drug policy researcher affiliated with the School of Health Information Sciences at the Universi... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1466289 Fri, 23 May 2008 16:11:29 +0100 1466289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454787&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fbc-patient-cum-plaintiff-shirley-healey.html Shirley Healey, who had surgery to repair her damaged arteries in the United States in 2006 after she and her surgeon learned of the long wait time in British Columbia, died last week.Ms Healey was in the process of preparing a lawsuit against the provincial government when she died last Tuesday, says Richard Baker, the president of the Vancouver-based firm Timely Medical Alternatives that was representing her. The lawsuit, the future of which is now in question, would have asked the courts to reimburse Ms Healey for the costs of the surgery she underwent to treat her mesenteric ischemia in Bellingham, Washington."[The cause of death] was a condition not unrelated to the original complaint when she went down to Bellingham," says Mr Baker. He declined to provide details. She died suddenly, ... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454787 Tue, 20 May 2008 17:23:00 +0100 1454787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1442757&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fgreat-british-taxpayer-rip-off.html full report hereIt is a shame that the Taxpayers' Alliance, led by the well-travelled Matthew Elliott, so often resorts to gutter journalism to attract cheap headlines. Their egregious attacks on anyone who has the misfortune to work in the public sector cause offence to many who would otherwise be amongst their supporters. When they concentrate on what they do best, however, they hit the nail on the head. "The Great British TaxPayer Rip-Off" does just that. Mike Denham, a former economist at the Treasury who authored the report, reflected that “the government has used every trick in the book to drive up the tax burden. Ordinary families are paying a heavy price,” he said. “People are increasingly beset by record levels of taxation and growing service charges, but there has been no... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1442757 Wed, 14 May 2008 08:56:00 +0100 1442757 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1436949&cid=t_111603_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fpersonal-learning-curves.html When we first arrived in California everything was fun, new and exciting. We knew that our new homeland was just like the one we left, apart from the accents. The main difference between England and America, apart from the accents, was that so many things were so hilarious. Everything was so funny. We were delighted with the stereotypes, confirmation of our prejudices. We saw them everywhere and oh how we laughed. The huge chap with the knee high white socks in open toed sandals, the plaid shorts down to his knees no less, the bigness of everything, oh what fun. I wrote regularly to my family once a week, as the international telephone calls were too expensive. I told of our adventures in oh such a foreign land, the sprinklers that erupted to soak you unexpectedly, the six lane traffic in ... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1436949 Mon, 12 May 2008 01:41:00 +0100 1436949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1432789&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F286980674%2F Drugmakers must do more to encourage side-effect reporting under a new industry code of practice published by the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry. As of November, new promotional info must explicitly and “prominently” state that “adverse events should be reported” and provide details of the website to contact with concerns. What else? Drugmakers will have to make publicly available a short description of financial and significant indirect support of patient groups; and sponsorship declarations must accurately reflect the nature of the company’s involvement. Pharma must have a contract for health professionals and others employed as consultants, and are “strongly encouraged” to require consultants to declare this as an interest. And drugmakers are &#8220... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1432789 Fri, 09 May 2008 17:37:35 +0100 1432789 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1429107&cid=t_111603_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Flabyrinth-of-liars.html I wash up and chat to their father in the kitchen at twilight when a small person appears, just before we take them all up to bed.“Why?”“Why what dear?”“Why you are not?”“Why are we not what?”“Why you are not be wear dah pyjamas at night.”I gulp to aid oxygen flow to my brain but spouse sniggers “because we’re British. British people don’t wear pyjamas. Pyjamas are for wimps. People from an island race never wear pyjamas.” I am tempted to stamp on his foot or duct tape his mouth permanently closed. Where does he get this stuff from?“Why?”“Which bit dear?”“Racing Island? It is be a game?”“No, England is an island and race means……a type of people, English people, Italian people, American people……people who belong to a particular land mass.”... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1429107 Thu, 08 May 2008 03:05:00 +0100 1429107 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1423433&cid=t_111603_151_f&fid=35823&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FAddictionInbox%2F%7E3%2F284794031%2Fuk-marijuana-panic-continues.html British Prime Minister plans to stiffen pot penalties.The national hysteria over "skunk" marijuana shows no signs of abating in Great Britain, as Prime Minister Gordon Brown is poised to overrule his advisors and reclassify cannabis as a more dangerous drug. Lost in the debate is any semblance of reasonable discussion about scientific research on marijuana.British health authorities continue to find the basics of cannabis to be an inscrutable mystery. Some months ago, they declared that "skunk" cannabis was linked to the onset of schizophrenia. Since no one knows what, exactly, causes schizophrenia, and recent findings continue to point toward genetic causes, this was a doubly astonishing claim.Now, continuing in the same vein of misinformation, The University College of London reports tha... Addiction Inbox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1423433 Tue, 06 May 2008 17:23:00 +0100 1423433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1423277&cid=t_111603_132_f&fid=35011&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fmndoci%2F%7E3%2F284391217%2F Here is the abstract of a paper in Hypertension entitled Structure-based identification of small-molecule angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 activators as novel antihypertensive agents. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a key renin-angiotensin system enzyme involved in balancing the adverse effects of angiotensin II on the cardiovascular system, and its overexpression by gene transfer is beneficial in cardiovascular disease. Therefore, our objectives were 2-fold: to identify compounds that enhance ACE2 activity using a novel conformation-based rational drug discovery strategy and to evaluate whether such compounds reverse hypertension-induced pathophysiologies. We used a unique virtual screening approach. In vitro assays revealed 2 compounds (a xanthenone and resorcinolnaphthalein) t... business|bytes|genes|molecules blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1423277 Tue, 06 May 2008 05:40:13 +0100 1423277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1419342&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F283308821%2F The pharmaceutical industry is taking a tough line in negotiations on drug pricing, offering to cut the $20 billion National Health Service bill for prescription medsl by roughly half the amount sought by the government, The Daily Telegraph writes. In secret negotiations, industry leaders have offered to cut the price of patented drugs by under 5 per cent, significantly less than the 10 per cent to 12 per cent that the government is seeking. However, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry sweetened the deal by cutting the price of drugs that come off patent but have no significant generic competition. And they’re proposing to stagger the cuts to the NHS drug bill over seven years, instead of the normal five-year period. “What is separating the two camps is not s... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1419342 Sun, 04 May 2008 13:40:25 +0100 1419342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1413600&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F281416068%2F The industry’s trade group has launched its strongest attack to date on the government, accusing it of damaging the integrity of the UK’s business environment by renegotiating the drug pricing mechanism halfway through the current five-year period, The Daily Telegraph reports. “The decision dented business confidence and the reaction from our global head offices moved the matter beyond the UK, as they began to question the integrity of the UK investment environment,” says Nigel Brooksby, outgoing head of the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry and head of UK operations at Sanofi-Aventis. The missive comes just a few days after the UK’s third largest drugmaker, Shire Pharmaceuticals, decided to move corporate headquarters to Ireland for tax reasons.... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1413600 Thu, 01 May 2008 12:09:16 +0100 1413600 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1397614&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fsupporting-british-servicemen-british.html In real life, Dr Crippen has had a number of ex-serviceman patients. To the average Brit, the concept of an “ex-serviceman” means an elderly man proudly displaying his war medals on Remembrance Sunday. To a practising doctor, ex-serviceman more frequently means a young man, severely injured in the prime of his life.Britain is currently at war in two countries. Iraq and Afghanistan. Our sanitised news bulletins present these wars without showing violence. Heavens, we would not want to upset all those middle class TV suppers. Most days, the newspapers report the name of a soldier who has been killed, a soldier like the squaddie from Holyhead. What the news does not show, and what the newspapers rarely describe, is the soldiers who are injured. Amputees with burnt faces are not photogenic... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1397614 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:35:00 +0100 1397614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1377935&cid=t_111603_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2008%2F4%2F17%2Fwhy-cant-we-do-it.html By Dov Michaeli MD, Ph.DI am not a health care policy wonk, or a wonk of anything, to tell the truth. But having observed the heated arguments, the indecipherable terms and acronyms, and the general sense of helplessness in breaking the political logjam, I asked a naїve question: how do others deal with the issue?  I looked at the British system, which I know quite well. I also looked at the Japanese system, which I knew from my visits to the country and contacts with Japanese doctors, professors, drug companies, and just plain folks. Finally, I looked at the Taiwanese system, which I think is an unsung hero that deserves more recognition.The British systemThe Brits are very much like us economically, politically and culturally. They have a much more cynical attitude toward governmen... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1377935 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:14:18 +0100 1377935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1376886&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fescaping-vancouver-helps-drug-addicts.html Injection drug users who leave the city of Vancouver fare better than those who stay, according to an article to be published this September in the journal Health & Place by some of Canada's top addiction researchers.A team of UBC and Simon Fraser researchers, including prominent HIV and addiction researchers Evan Wood and Thomas Kerr, report that emigration out of Vancouver is associated with less frequent crack smoking; less heroin injecting; less involvement in prostitution; fewer overdoses; fewer instances of incarceration; lower risk of contracting HIV; and better housing. However, leaving the city was also associated with higher rates of alcohol abuse -- a way to "cope with the stresses of migrating or the reduced availability of harder drugs outside of Greater Vancouver," the re... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1376886 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:27:00 +0100 1376886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1370879&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fvancouver-safe-injection-site-gets.html When I last wrote about Insite, the experimental safe-injection site in Vancouver, a Health Canada spokesperson told me the government was still unsure of the facility's benefits.Health Canada continues to repeat that more research is needed on Insite to determine how safe-injection sites affect crime, prevention and treatment.But extensive research has shown Insite is successful at reducing crime and overdoses, getting addicts into treatment and saving money.Asked what research [federal Health Minister Tony] Clement still needs to see in order to make his decision, Erik Waddell, a spokesman for Mr Clement, answers, "To see if Insite is getting people to programs to help them get off drugs."Well, the verdict is in: Insite improves drug addicts' access to treatment and counselling, doesn't ... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1370879 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:10:00 +0100 1370879 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1329133&cid=t_111603_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Fthe-experiences-of-alcohol-dependence%2F CONCLUSIONS: This systematic analysis of a small sample of alcohol dependent individuals gives insight into their experiences during alcohol dependency and the journey to recovery. The findings suggest that denial of the problem to the outside world occurs simultaneously with individuals being aware of their problem. Participants felt the illness carries a stigma and their negative experiences of health professionals other than GP’s suggests that nurses and other health workers need to revise their understanding of alcohol dependence and their approach to it. AA was a significant factor in recovery for these participants. Research report; J Fam Health Care. 2007;17(6):211-4. Experiences of alcohol dependence: a qualitative study. Dyson J. See also; BriefTSF is designed to help br... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1329133 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:25:41 +0100 1329133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1316799&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F254845596%2F Here’s one way to negotiate a proposed change in government pricing - conduct a survey that says your members will reduce investment, manufacturing and research. And so the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and the Confederation of British Industry polled more than 100 drugmakers based in the UK and found - guess what? - discontent. - Three-quarters had little confidence in the current environment; - One percent expect things to improve; - 83 per cent expect deterioration; - 35 percent expect to reduce the level of R&D investment; - 36 percent expect to cut Investment in buildings and equipment; - 46 percent expect to slash the number of UK clinical trials; - 42 percent expect to reduce their level of manufacturing; - 97 percent complain of an increasing level ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1316799 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:03:01 +0100 1316799 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1399644&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=36939&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscientific-misconduct.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fscientific-integrity-another-resigation.html Another psychologist, Cole Davis, has recently resigned from the British Psychological Society (BPS) over their ignoring of scientific integrity. His resignation letter submitted today for publication in the BPS Journal (The Psychologist) is below - but not yet published.17 March 2008To the British Psychological Society Further to my resignation last year, the last straw being your encouragement of the appellation 'Chartered Scientist', available to people who do not necessarily embrace scientific methods: I no longer accept the British Psychological Society's claim to be acting in the public interest, and support the recently declared stance of another ex-member. Although I personally do not need to use the term in order to make a living, I shall call myself a psychologist and will give a... Scientific Misconduct Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1399644 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:57:00 +0100 1399644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1300309&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34800&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FClinicalPsychologyAndPsychiatryACloserLook%2F%7E3%2F250928274%2Fwould-british-psychological-society.html About a year ago, I wrote a bit about the case of British psychologist Lisa Blakemore Brown. She was being prosecuted by the British Psychological Society (BPS) at the time regarding her alleged lack of fitness to practice psychology due to "paranoia." The best source of info on the topic comes from two spots: Aubrey Blumsohn's collected posts at the Scientific Misconduct Blog and a transcript (at Furious Seasons) of a hearing involving the allegations against Blakemore Brown.It would make sense that a professional society such as the BPS would take action in cases of serious misconduct, such as sexual relations with clients, fraudulent billing practices, or other forms of exploiting one's clientele. It makes much less sense to prosecute an individual on trumped-up charges of mental illnes... Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1300309 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:46:00 +0100 1300309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1399648&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=36939&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscientific-misconduct.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fshame-of-british-psychological-society.html A year ago I devoted several postings to the disgraceful and ludicrous abuse of a clinical psychologist, Lisa Blakemore Brown (LBB), by the British Psychological Society (see collated postings including this one). The abuse lasted 10 years, and was apparently motivated by factors other than evidence, logic or concern for patients. It has in my view brought this society into serious disrepute. The treatment of LBB started as an obvious travesty when a commercially funded patient "support" group and the BPS itself appear to have colluded to create a triggering complaint. What followed was a protracted farce. The BPS seems to have realized that its actions would not be hidden, and the farce was terminated this week. It has left LBB financially destitute, with a destroyed career and ill health... Scientific Misconduct Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1399648 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:18:00 +0100 1399648 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1258128&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F02%2F26%2Fantidepressant-data-showed-not-as-effective-as-thought%2F Meta-analyses are great research tools, because they allow researchers to look at data across large sets of data published by multiple studies, and see if there are more powerful (or less powerful) effects that no single study has found on its own. So it’s always interesting to read something that a meta-analysis finds in the data that individual studies didn’t quite find. Today, British researchers discovered, unsurprisingly, that Antidepressant Data Showed Not as Effective as Thought. I say unsurprisingly, because the researchers made a series of decisions that pretty much guaranteed their end-result. First, they went to the original datasets and included unpublished data too. Unpublished data is usually unpublished for a reason — for instance, the study was either p... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1258128 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:46:42 +0100 1258128 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1250429&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F239392635%2F Amid global calls to end pharma’s direct sponsorship of physician education, the British Medical Journal writes about an investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that found industry sponsorship of sessions attended by thousands of general practitioners, who assume the programs are totally independent. Industry representatives have confirmed that similar practices take place in the UK, where roughly half of all education for doctors is sponsored by drugmakers, writes Ray Moynihan, honorary lecturer at the University of Newcastle in Australia. He describes leaked documents and e-mails from a range of sources showing pharma sponsors have input into the selection of some speakers at seminars held in recent years, despite the fact that these have been aggressively sold to ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1250429 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:09:46 +0100 1250429 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1242298&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F237534142%2F In discussing government plans to renegotiate prices, Richard Barker, the director general of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, notes that the UK has already lost hundreds of pharma jobs and further industry investment could be lost if pricing talks fail to produce a reasonable outcome. And so Barker tells Reuters that the Department of Health, which is renegotiating the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme in hopes of reducing drug costs, should agree to a ‘realistic’ pact as soon as possible. Barker declined to comment on the scale of any price cuts being discussed but said he was worried officials were “not as realistic as they need to be”, given the industry’s slowing growth due to generic competition and a lack of new drugs. &#8220... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1242298 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:26:30 +0100 1242298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1223713&cid=t_111603_145_f&fid=35710&url=http%3A%2F%2Fstoryofhealing.com%2F2008%2F02%2F11%2Fhow-web-20-is-changing-medicine%2F Here is a slide show by Dean Giustini of the University of British Columbia’s Biomedical Branch Library on “How Web 2.0 is Changing Medicine.” This has been sitting in my drafts folder for some time now. Nearly forgotten. Glad I found it again. (Source: the story of healing) the story of healing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1223713 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:21:13 +0100 1223713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1217901&cid=t_111603_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fbritish-gulag-abuse-of-psychiatry.html Ruth Gledhill, in The Times yesterday, showed an aspect of the recent extraordinary outburst from the Archbishop of Canterbury that will be particularly horrifying to doctors:A few weeks ago, I was chatting to a woman who works in an advocacy role for Muslim women in an area that, quite independently of the Bishop of Rochester, she described as a 'no-go area' for non-Muslims. Her clients were women in the process of being sectioned into mental health units in the NHS. This woman, who for obvious reasons begged not to be identified, told me: 'The men get tired of their wives. Or bored. Or maybe the wife objects to her daughter being forced into a marriage she doesn't want. Or maybe she starts wearing western clothes.There can be many reasons. The women are sent for asssessment to a hospital... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1217901 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:34:00 +0100 1217901 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1170228&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fis-universal-healthcare-illegal.html (Source: Canadian Medicine) Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1170228 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:36:00 +0100 1170228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1149842&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fgay-rights-advocate-physicians-death.html (Source: Canadian Medicine) Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1149842 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:00:00 +0100 1149842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1134009&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F212583346%2F Alan Johnson, the UK’s health minister, hopes the price cut will generate substantial savings on branded drugs for the National Health Service and its $22 billion budget in talks that are expected to be completed by June, according to The Financial Times. However, the 10 percent proposal is likely to make pharma unhappy, PharmaTimes points out, since drugmakers signed a five-year deal in 2004 offering price cuts of around 7 percent in return for increased allowances to encourage R&D of innovative products. In August, the UK’s Health Department surprised drugmakers by saying that renegotiation of the Pharmaceutical Pricing Regulation Scheme was needed, a move which came after the UK’s Office of Fair Trading published a controversial report on the PPRS concluding that the ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1134009 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 13:27:15 +0100 1134009 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1111812&cid=t_111603_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F12%2F21%2F7-common-medical-myths-debunked%2F We’re not real sure why people love to believe simplistic things about their health and the human body. Perhaps we like to believe simple folklore because, even if not true, it feels like a common, shared bond that “everybody knows” and so we can repeat with others knowing they’ll agree. Leave it to the British Medical Journal and authors Rachel Vreeman and Aaron Carroll (2007) to spoil our holidays by debunking seven of the most commonly repeated medical myths about our bodies and living today. According to their review of the medical literature, each one of these tidbits of common wisdom are false: People should drink at least eight glasses of water a day We use only 10% of our brains Hair and fingernails continue to grow after death Shaving hair causes ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1111812 Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:33:13 +0100 1111812 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1100287&cid=t_111603_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F201828192%2F The Association of British Insurers plans to issue a warning to Shire shareholders after the drugmaker last week announced plans to appoint its ceo as non-executive chairman, The Financial Times reports. Peter Montagnon, ABI’s director of investment affairs, tells the paper that before Shire’s annual meeting next June, his group would place an “amber top” on its institutional voting information service, which alerts investors to potential breaches of best UK corporate governance practice. His comments came after Shire disclosed that Matthew Emmens, the ceo since 2003, would become non-executive chairman from June next year. While such a change is acceptable in US corporate culture, it is frowned upon in the UK, although other examples have taken place including at H... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1100287 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:23:35 +0100 1100287 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1093208&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fvancouver-island-plans-clean-crack-pipe.html (Source: Canadian Medicine) Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1093208 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 21:27:00 +0100 1093208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1084455&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fbc-woman-files-wait-times-lawsuit.html (Source: Canadian Medicine) Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1084455 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:45:00 +0100 1084455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1070394&cid=t_111603_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fcma-prez-day-pulled-strings-to-jump.html (Source: Canadian Medicine) Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1070394 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:04:00 +0100 1070394