Thursday, June 30, 2011

Cochrane Journal Club: Join the Discussion!

Have you been looking to join a journal club? Do you want to do more for your journal club but are restrained by time? I invite you to consider what the Cochrane Journal Club offers to members:
"The Cochrane Journal Club is a free, monthly publication that introduces a recent Cochrane review, together with relevant background information, a podcast explaining the key points of the review, discussion questions to help you to explore the review methods and findings in more detail, and downloadable PowerPoint slides containing key figures and tables. You can even contact the review authors with your questions."
The latest issue #21 discusses "Selenium for preventing cancer".

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Friday, June 17, 2011

Pillbox: A Useful Pill Identification Tool


The National Library of Medicine (NLM), in partnership with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is in the process of developing a website that will provide a visual reference system to aid identification of unknown pharmaceuticals. Currently in beta, it is envisioned that this resource will provide valuable assistance to emergency physicians, first responders, health care providers, poison control center staff, as well as concerned citizens. Users are able to search by imprint, shape, colour, size and scoring of medications in tablet or capsule form.

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Wednesday, June 15, 2011

What is a library doing in a hospital?


Pam Kress-Dunn, medical librarian at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque,Iowa, answers that question beautifully! In this latest installment article published online in the magazine 'Pulse', the reader is afforded an authentic glympse into the daily challenges of the hospital librarian, that largely stealth pillar and support of evidence-based medical practice.

'Pulse: Voices from the heart of medicine' delivers compelling, powerful first-person stories about health care written by patients and doctors, caregivers and nurses, mental health professionals and students. Real-life health care is captured in a way that is honest, intimate and unique; opening a window into the world of medicine. For more 'voices' from the 'heart of medicine' tune in weekly to Pulse Magazine .

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Thursday, June 02, 2011

The Development of DSM-5 Continues

DSM-5: The Future of Psychiatric Diagnosis
"Publication of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in May 2013 [by the American Psychiatric Association (APA)] will mark one the most anticipated events in the mental health field. As part of the development process, the preliminary draft revisions to the current diagnostic criteria for psychiatric diagnoses are now available for public review ."
Follow the developments and participate by submitting your feedback.
"At this time, we are asking visitors to review and comment on the proposed DSM-5 organizational structure and criteria changes. Please note that the current commenting period will end on June 15, 2011."
Click on the post title to access the APA website and read about all the proposed changes.
To peruse the list of disorder-specific changes go to :
Recent Updates to Proposed Revisions for DSM-5.

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United States Experiencing a Growing Shortage of Physicians

Dr. Cecil B. Wilson, AMA President, speaking recently to the Society of Hospital Medicine:
"Right now, the AMA estimates that there will be a shortage of at least 125,000 physicians by 2025. The problem is not just the number of the physicians but who they are and where they practice. Some of the greatest physician shortages are in rural areas and in minority communities. Recruiting minority physicians has been a challenge, he said, in part because of the high cost of medical school, but also because there are few minority role models in the medical community."
Click on the post title for the news report by Mary Ellen Schneider on Elevier Global Medical News.

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