Contents – March 2003

News

SIGN issues guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of otitis media

SIGN guideline will clarify management of dyspepsia

In Reply

New asthma guideline will improve standard practice

Editorial

Protecting patients at risk of steroid-induced osteoporosis

New guidelines emphasise that high-risk patients taking steroids should also have bone protective therapy, says Dr Gillian Hosie

Personal View

SIGN guideline will aid GP management of otitis media

The SIGN guideline on otitis media will help target antibiotics at those children who will benefit most, says Dr Rob Wicks

Guideline Development

NICE guideline aims to reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes

Careful management of blood pressure and blood lipids is one of the cornerstones of care for type 2 diabetes patients, as Professor Allen Hutchinson and Aileen McIntosh explain

Guidelines in Practice Awards 2003

Entry form

Full details on how to enter this yearês Awards

Medico-legal Issues in General Practice

Confidentiality and access to records

With greater access to records comes a greater risk of breaching confidentiality unless certain standards are adhered to, says Dr Gerard Panting of the MPS

Local Initiative

Local ophthalmology project reduces outpatient referrals

Dr Paul Twomey describes a collaboration between primary and secondary care to improve the management of patients with eye problems in the community

Audit

How to carry out a successful practice or PCT-based audit

In the first of two articles on audit, Dr Mark Charny explains how applying a few simple principles can mean the difference between time well spent and time wasted

Focus on CME

Guidelines in Practice CME questions: 19

Download the PDF, write your answers in the spaces provided, and put it in your personal development plan

Your Problems Solved: IT

Our panel of experts answer your questions on IT

Dr Nigel Watson answers questions on NHSnet and on-line appraisals, and explains the purpose of the NHS tracing service

NICE Referral Guide

NICE referral summaries

Patient Information

SIGN patient information 7. Attention deficit and hyperkinetic disorders in children and young people

Notes for Authors

Writing for Guidelines in Practice: instructions for authors

Out of Hours

Doctors are from Mars, nurses are from Venus

Dr Phil Hammond, GP and broadcaster