bmj.com: News

US lags behind 10 other countries in primary care

A large international survey of primary care doctors in 11 industrialised nations has found that the United States is often the outlier in medical practice, contributing to the higher cost of care in the US and its relatively poor health outcomes. The survey findings point to policy changes that might improve care in the US.

Also published on 5 November:

Half of people dying within four days of hospital admission lack input from senior doctors, inquiry finds

Cost of NHS and education grows faster than general economy

X ray machine tops poll of most important scientific invention

Former head of NHS watchdog attacks MPs' inquiry into patient safety

Parents go to court over whether baby son should be allowed to die

A seriously ill 13 month old boy is at the centre of a High Court battle between his parents over whether he should be allowed to die. An NHS trust is seeking permission from the High Court in London to take the boy, known as RB, off the ventilator that is keeping him alive. His mother supports the move, arguing that her son's life is "intolerable," but his father maintains that RB can see, hear, feel, and recognise his parents and should be allowed to go on living.

Other news published on 4 November:

Poor progress is made in India�s effort to control measles

India�s attempts to control measles have failed, public health experts have told a national round table consultation, with the estimated number of annual deaths from the infection stubbornly high at about 130 000. (Image of child being given the measles vaccine in northern India: SPL).

Also published on 3 November:

Report calls for public education on screening to ensure more realistic expectations

Glasgow hospital wins design award

Professor is charged with dishonesty over statements on access to full trial data

US drug agency is slow to exclude from further trials doctors who have engaged in research misconduct

The US Food and Drug Administration has taken up to 11 years to debar doctors who engage in misconduct or crimes from participating in research involving new drugs, biologics, and medical devices, shows a report from the US Government Accountability Office.

Also published on 2 November:

Two Israeli women are barred from entering Egypt to attend breast cancer conference

Distinctions between health and social care could fade under new national care service

GMC hears that doctor who faked results is "indispensable" to the NHS

Where youth grows pale . . .

Family doctors share vision of a "medical home" for every Canadian

EC launches new strategy to tackle HIV as prevalence continues to rise

Number of swine flu patients going into intensive care is rising

English treatment centres are treating less complex patients than hospitals

Watchdog calls on NHS to focus on outcomes and not administration

The NHS and local authorities in the United Kingdom should focus on the human side of health and social care, looking in particular at outcomes, when making financial decisions, a report from a public spending watchdog says.

Also published on 30 October: