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EDITORIALS: Abi Berger What do you think of the BMJ's POEMs? BMJ 2003; 326: 1228 [Full text]

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The opposite of a POEM might be useful too

Nick C Bradley   (8 June 2003)

More POEMs on diagnosis

Giuseppe Giocoli   (9 June 2003)

POETRY

Daniel L Sontheimer   (10 June 2003)

POEMs

Paula A. Evans   (10 June 2003)

Use of POEMS in Medical Education

Betty B. Gatipon   (11 June 2003)

POEMS - obscure subjects

Gregory Warner, Greatwell Drive, Romsey, SO53 4NH   (11 June 2003)

poem in a POEM

Boghos L. Artinian   (23 July 2004)

A Butterfly is a fly that flutters by.....

Dr. Herbert H. Nehrlich   (23 July 2004)

The opposite of a POEM might be useful too 8 June 2003
Nick C Bradley, general practitioner Ide Lane Surgey, Alphington, Exeter, EX2 8UP Send response to journal: Re: The opposite of a POEM might be useful too	Perhaps the BMJ would consider publishing PROSE as well as POEMs: pharmaceutical-driven research offering specious evidence. Preventing and treating influenza with "amivirs" would be an example. Since these drugs are the subject of NICE guidance in 1999 and 2000, and an editorial (Stohr K. BMJ 2003;326:1223-4) based on a NICE commissioned study (Cooper NJ et al. BMJ 2003;326:1235-40) both in the BMJ this week (7 June 2003), patients and doctors might be forgiven for thinking they are helpful. Their proven benefit amounts to one day less (out of an average six) feeling unwell from flu when used as treatment; and a reduced odds ratio for healthy subjects of getting flu when used as prevention: no fewer complications, no fewer deaths. How were these clinically irrelevant results ever graced with NICE guidance? And how did the drugs attract the epithet of clinically effective based on these outcomes? This is the exact opposite of evidence that matters. Most evidence that doesn't matter never sees the light of day. When it does, I hope that the BMJ will recognise it for what it is and PROSE it. Competing interests:   None declared
More POEMs on diagnosis 9 June 2003
Giuseppe Giocoli, GdL EBM AMCLI (Associazione Microbiologi Clinici Italiani) Via Sarca, 19 25015 Desenzano (BS) Send response to journal: Re: More POEMs on diagnosis	I'm in a small group of clinical microbiologists interested in implementation of EBM for ID management. We would like to see more POEMs published about diagnostic topics. Competing interests:   None declared
POETRY 10 June 2003
Daniel L Sontheimer, Assoc Director Spartanburg Family Medicine Residency Send response to journal: Re: POETRY	Simply put, POEMs hit the mark. Too often, EBM provides with evidence that meets standards (RCT, double blinded, allocation concealed, etc.), but fails to meet the criterion of what my matter if I (a patient) were sick, e.g., will I live longer, better? POEMs meet this vital criterion by focusing on methodology and outcome. Thus, the often-cited but misleading study, soley to do surrogate or less than rigorous outcome, fails to become a POEM. That is the beauty of Poetry and the POEM, the question asked is if and only if "Juliette becomes the sun", and nothing else. Competing interests:   None declared
POEMs 10 June 2003
Paula A. Evans, GP York YO24 4HD Send response to journal: Re: POEMs	I am a GP. I have enjoyed POEMs in the BMJ as: 1. cunningly placed at the front of the journal, to be read whilst still fresh 2. concise boxes 3. relevant to the questions we try to answer in General Practice 4. clear statement at the end 5. sourcing of evidence helps us to evaluate 6. the variety of topics means that we update quickly on some secondary care topics too I was prompted to have a free month's trial from infopoems, and will consider getting a subscription. Getting the regular email which can be scanned quickly, meant I got a new bit of information and not have to rely on motivation! Competing interests:   None declared
Use of POEMS in Medical Education 11 June 2003
Betty B. Gatipon, Family Medicine Clerkship Co-Director 70112 Send response to journal: Re: Use of POEMS in Medical Education	I plan to include the the bmj site in those recommended for my students in studying EBM. The Poems approach is one we advocate in our Family Medicine clerkship. Competing interests:   None declared
POEMS - obscure subjects 11 June 2003
Gregory Warner, GP Nightingale Surgery, Greatwell Drive, Romsey, SO53 4NH Send response to journal: Re: POEMS - obscure subjects	As a GP I really liked the idea of these short pithy evidence nuggets. The trouble is that many of the subjects chosen seem very obscure and peripheral and not the key questions of everyday practice. Please answer questions more commonly on doctors' minds. Competing interests:   None declared
poem in a POEM 23 July 2004
Boghos L. Artinian, Physician, Private practice Salam Building Salim Bustani Street Watwat, Beirut, Lebanon Send response to journal: Re: poem in a POEM	Question: Do medical principles uphold 'Azithroing' the old? Synopsis: It has become a tradition To 'azithro' pulmonary infection Though some still prefer to "cipro' Any organism that is micro! Thus hundreds of old folk treated With just six tablets, unrepeated, Did well within a few days In contrast to those subjected to delays. Waiting to determine the identity Of the microbial celebrity Could either render the treatment too late Or render the patients slow to recuperate. Bottom line: Medical principles no longer matter Should evidence those principles shatter. Level of evidence: Anecdotal. Competing interests: None declared
A Butterfly is a fly that flutters by..... 23 July 2004
Dr. Herbert H. Nehrlich, Private Practice Bribie Island, Australia 4507 Send response to journal: Re: A Butterfly is a fly that flutters by.....	Well, the challenge has reached me. Anyone out there who wants to submit some real poems, limericks or others, I think it is high time for a little genuine poetry at BMJ. I am ready. Just say the word. Competing interests: None declared