________________________________________ ________________________________________ This week a blog from guest author Hannah Afsar who sheds light on a timely issue faced by patients. AI vs. Human Doctors: A Comparative Study What? In recent months, artificial intelligence (AI) and its adoption in various sectors, especially healthcare, has been a hot topic. Its potential use in doctor-patient interactions is […]
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Ketamine versus ECT for nonpsychotic major depression In the NEJM recently Anand et al carried out a RCT of ketamine versus ECT (electro-convulsive therapy) in major depression. Method. Patients with treatment-resistant major depression without psychosis were recruited and assigned to receive ketamine or ECT. During an initial 3-week treatment phase, patients received either ECT three […]
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What? In a recent turn of events, junior doctors in Scotland have agreed to hold off impending strike after the Scottish government proposed a new pay offer. The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland agreed to pause the strike, initially scheduled for 12-15th July, while they consult with their members about the proposed 12.4% pay increase […]
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Study finds metformin reduces the risk of long COVID by 40% Metformin – a cheap, safe, and widely available diabetes drug – could reduce the incidence of long COVID if given during the acute phase of COVID-19, a new study in the Lancet indicates. A two week course of metformin given within three days of […]
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Study concludes minimum alcohol pricing has saved lives in Scotland According to the BMJ recently, the final verdict on Scotland’s five year experiment in introducing a minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol has concluded that the initiative is cutting overall consumption and helping to save lives. Public Health Scotland (PHS) has analysed the results of […]
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Life expectancy in the UK falling compared to other developed countries in 2023 According to the Kings Fund recently, life expectancy has been a concern in the UK even before the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Increases in life expectancy slowed from 2011 in England and Wales for reasons that are unclear and contested. While […]
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Short term “quick fixes” won’t see NHS through to 100 years, think tanks warn According to the BMJ recently, The NHS may not survive another 25 years to reach its centenary unless the underlying, long term causes of its current crisis are resolved, three major think tanks have warned. ?The leaders of the Health Foundation, […]
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Doctor launches legal challenge to GMCs failure to investigate medics COVID vaccine claims A doctor has launched a judicial review against the General Medical Council (GMC) over the regulator’s refusal to investigate another doctor’s alleged misleading claims about COVID-19. According to the BMJ recently, Matt Kneale, a junior doctor, has previously complained to the GMC […]
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First UK trial of a non-hormonal drug for endometriosis starts recruiting in Autumn The UK will soon run its first controlled trial of a non-hormonal drug for endometriosis. It may lead to ‘long overdue’ innovation in relieving often debilitating pain. Doctors hope will pave the way for the first new class of drug for the […]
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Should junior doctors do 5 years of NHS service after they qualify? ‘Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire’ – WB Yeats. Medical school is an academic greenhouse where the seeds of enthusiasm and academic scholarship in tomorrow’s doctors are planted. It should produce a plentiful harvest of […]
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