Medicine and Science from The BMJ

Diabetes

This week we find out about diabetes. Mabel Chew, our Sydney based associate editor, discovers why it’s important not to miss the diagnosis of type I diabetes in children. And we learn about a new therapeutic agent for type II diabetes: glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues.

A hearty drink

In this week’s podcast we find out from Susan Brien and Paul Ronksley about the cardioprotective effects of alcohol.Also, Annabel Ferriman tells us about the nominees for the BMJ Group lifetime achievement award.

Food for thought

Between March 2010 and March 2011 the cost of maize and wheat doubled. This is just the latest in a series of price hikes in food staples. In an editorial this week, Joachim Von Braun sets out some of the problems that this price rise is going to cause. David Nabarro, UN special representative of the secretary-general on food security and nutrition, describes why and how we should control the price rise.

Watching waiting times

In this week’s podcast, Johan Sundstrom explains how blood pressure in adolescents effects mortality in adults. And John Appleby, chief economist of the King’s Fund, talks waiting times.

30 years of AIDS

This month marks the 30th anniversary of the first diagnosed case of AIDS. Bertrand Audoin, from the International AIDS Society, brings us up to date with the latest developments in the fight against the disease.Also this week, Francesco Capuccio from Warwick University explains the importance of sleep as a “health commodity” and the problems with its sacrifice, in our increasingly busy lives.

From Fukushima

As the world’s attention turns to Fukushima, we hear from Ryuki Kassai, Director of Community and Family Medicine at Fukushima Medical University, about the situation on the ground there. He tells us about the difficulties they currently face, and the uncertainty of the next few days and weeks.Also this week, Paul Mackin of Newcastle University discusses the use and efficacy of atypical antipsychotic

NHS reforms round table

This week the British government has tabled an amendment to remove maximum pricing from the Health and Social Care Bill. We convened a round table discussion to find out what other elements of the bill need re-examining.Joining us in the studio at BMA house were:John Black - president of the Royal College of Surgeons.Clare Gerada - chair of the Royal College of General PractitionersMichelle Drage - chief executive of the London Wide LMCsNigel Edwards – acting chief executive of the NHS ConfederationAnna Dixon - director of policy at the King’s Fund

Trade in generics

Jamie Love, Knowledge Ecology International, and Hans Hogerzeil, director of essential medicines and pharmaceutical policies at the World Health Organization (WHO), discuss the ongoing EU trade negotiations with India. They set out their concerns that it may lead to an interruption in the supply of new generic drugs to the developing world.

BMJ Round Table Shared Decision - Making Patients

At BMA house, we convened a group of world experts in shared decision making. Inspired by the Salzburg Global Summit meeting we discussed the background, practical challenges, and how to engage patients with their healthThe participants were:Fiona Godlee , editor in chief, BMJ Angela Coulter , director of global initiatives, Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making Albert Mulley , co-founder, Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making, and director, Dartmouth Center for Health Care Delivery Science Glyn Elwyn, research professor with an interest in shared decision making, Cardiff University Muir Gray , chair of the Information Standard, Department of Health, and co-editor (with Gerd Gigerenzer of the new book Better Doctors, Better Patients, Better Decisions: Envisioning Health Care 2020 Marion Collict, national programme manager, shared decision making, NHS (UK’s National Health System) Alf Collins , consultant in pain medicine, Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, and national clinical lead for Co-Creating Health Margaret McCartney , writer and GP Anu Dhir , junior surgical trainee and co-signatory of the Salzburg Statement Gerd Gigerenzer , director, Center for Adaptive Behaviour and Cognition, Max Planck Institute for Human Behaviour Lisa Schwartz , professor of medicine, Dartmouth Medical School, author (with Steve Woloshin (see below)) of Know Your Chances available free online. Steve Woloshin , professor of medicine, Dartmouth Medical School “e-Patient Dave” deBronkart , co-chair, Society for Participatory Medicine Tessa Richards , analysis editor, BMJ Sue Ziebland , research director of the Health Experiences Research Group and a reader in qualitative health research, Department of Primary Health Care, University of Oxford

BMJ Round Table Shared Decision - Making Practicalities

At BMA house, we convened a group of world experts in shared decision making. Inspired by the Salzburg Global Summit meeting we discussed the background, practical challenges, and how to engage patients with their healthThe participants were:Fiona Godlee , editor in chief, BMJ Angela Coulter , director of global initiatives, Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making Albert Mulley , co-founder, Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making, and director, Dartmouth Center for Health Care Delivery Science Glyn Elwyn, research professor with an interest in shared decision making, Cardiff University Muir Gray , chair of the Information Standard, Department of Health, and co-editor (with Gerd Gigerenzer of the new book Better Doctors, Better Patients, Better Decisions: Envisioning Health Care 2020 Marion Collict, national programme manager, shared decision making, NHS (UK’s National Health System) Alf Collins , consultant in pain medicine, Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, and national clinical lead for Co-Creating Health Margaret McCartney , writer and GP Anu Dhir , junior surgical trainee and co-signatory of the Salzburg Statement Gerd Gigerenzer , director, Center for Adaptive Behaviour and Cognition, Max Planck Institute for Human Behaviour Lisa Schwartz , professor of medicine, Dartmouth Medical School, author (with Steve Woloshin (see below)) of Know Your Chances available free online. Steve Woloshin , professor of medicine, Dartmouth Medical School “e-Patient Dave” deBronkart , co-chair, Society for Participatory Medicine Tessa Richards , analysis editor, BMJ Sue Ziebland , research director of the Health Experiences Research Group and a reader in qualitative health research, Department of Primary Health Care, University of Oxford