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August/September 1999

News

DoH announces first treatments to be assessed by NICE

RCP guidelines tackle shortfalls in domiciliary oxygen therapy

Editorial

GPs have key role in decisions on withholding treatment

Dr Jane Richards, GP and member of the BMA MEC Working Group which prepared the guidance

Personal View

Anaphylaxis guidance will save lives

Dr Matthew Lockyer welcomes timely new guidelines on the emergency medical treatment of anaphylactic reactions

Letters

Opinion on GP treatment of drug misusers divided

Guidelines in Practice welcomes letters; if would you like to share your views with other readers, please write in

Guideline Development

BMA guidance clarifies issues on withdrawal of treatment

Dr Michael Wilks explains how the new guidance will help doctors to make compassionate decisions that are in the patient's best interests

Practice Initiatives

Pragmatic use of practice guidelines cuts GIT drug costs

Dr Tim Harlow describes how practice guidelines on upper gastrointestinal acid-related disease improved patient care and cut prescribing costs

Audit

GP audit highlights the need to improve lithium monitoring

Dr Nigel Watson describes how an audit of patients on lithium therapy in his practice prompted the development of an action plan to improve monitoring

IT Developments

PCG communication: the road to a common purpose?

An electronic conferencing system that offers PCGs an exciting means of internal communication may be the key to survival, suggests Dr Mark Wood

Tips on Guideline Use

How to introduce a new guideline in your practice

Good planning raises the chances of achieving your goals, explains Dr Mark Charny in the seventh article in this series

Questions & Answers

Your problems solved

Our editorial board answer your questions on what to tell patients who download guidelines from the internet and how evidence-based medicine will affect innovation

Out of Hours

Guidelines on ringing a consultant at home

Dr Phil Hammond, GP, lecturer and presenter of BBC2's Trust Me, I'm a Doctor

Guidelines in Practice, August/September 1999, Volume 2 © 1999 MGP Ltd further information | subscribe