Seven days in medicine: 22-28 Jan 2020
BMJ 2020; 368 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m320 (Published 30 January 2020) Cite this as: BMJ 2020;368:m320
Meningitis
UK cases fall after infant vaccination programme
The UK’s infant vaccination programme against group B meningococcal disease resulted in a significant reduction in cases of the disease in young children, in research from Public Health England reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. However, an Australian study published in the same journal found that, while the meningitis B vaccine also worked in teenagers, it did not provide herd protection against the meningococcal bacteria and so would protect only those who were adequately immunised. (Full story doi:10.1136/bmj.m301)
Assisted dying
Belgian doctors stand trial in landmark case
Three Belgian doctors—two GPs and a psychiatrist—are accused of unlawfully killing a 38 year old patient by poisoning almost 10 years ago, in the country’s first criminal case involving assisted dying. The high profile trial focuses on conditions in the 2002 legislation that must be fulfilled before a request for assisted dying can be acted on. It also highlights possible gaps in the law and the many emotions that patients, their families, and medical professionals may feel when involved in such a procedure. (Full story doi:10.1136/bmj.m259)
Heart screening
Executive programmes violate “do not harm” rule, say medics
US “executive screening programmes” offer expensive cardiovascular testing even though the tests are not justified and often not covered by insurance, said a report published in …
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