Findings bolster case for active mental health workplace policies, say researchers The provision of managerial support and help for employees with depression is linked to lower rates of workplace absenteeism, finds an international survey study of practice in 15 countries in different regions of the world, published in the online journal BMJ Open. The findings […]
Category: In the news
Unhealthy blood fat profile linked to greater odds of having only one or no kids
Findings might explain previously observed link between lower fertility and heart disease, say researchers An unhealthy blood fat (lipid) profile before pregnancy is linked to greater odds of having only one or no children, suggests an observational study published in the online journal BMJ Open. The findings might explain the previously observed association between lower […]
Large gender imbalance in funding given for cancer research
Male researchers receive more than three times as much funding as female researchers Male researchers receive far greater funding for cancer research than their female equivalents, suggests a study published in the journal BMJ Open. Within the European Union (EU), women represent nearly half of the workforce and more than half of all university graduates, […]
Moderate to severe mid-life anxiety may be linked to later life dementia
But it’s not clear whether active treatment might curb risk, say researchers Moderate to severe mid-life anxiety may be linked to dementia in later life, suggests an analysis of the available published evidence in the online journal BMJ Open. But as yet, it’s not clear whether active treatment could curb this risk, and whether non-drug […]
Fetal exposure to moderate/high caffeine levels linked to excess childhood weight gain
Should mums-to-be cut out caffeine altogether, ask the researchers? Exposure to moderate to high caffeine levels while in the womb is linked to excess weight gain in early childhood, suggests a large observational study published in the online journal BMJ Open. The findings, which back general advice to limit caffeine intake while pregnant, prompt the […]
Alcohol intake may be linked to premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Around 1 in 10 cases worldwide might be associated with drinking, estimate the researchers Drinking alcohol may be linked to pre-menstrual syndrome, or PMS for short, suggests a pooled analysis of published study data in the online journal BMJ Open. Based on the global prevalence of alcohol drinking and their study findings, the Spanish researchers […]
Huge variation in prescribing practice for gluten free foods in England
Those in most deprived areas least likely to get a prescription Prescribing practice for gluten free foods in England varies hugely, and doesn’t seem to be driven by obvious medical factors, reveals research published in the online journal BMJ Open. And those living in the most deprived areas of the country are the least likely […]
Poor practice on conflict of interest in NHS may be damaging trust in clinicians
US-style statutory body needed to ensure all trusts have strong policies in place, say researchers Many NHS trusts in England are failing to log, track, or disclose information on conflicts of interest (COI) for their staff, so potentially undermining public trust in health professionals, suggests research published in the online journal BMJ Open. A statutory […]
Surgeries employing GPs with additional training in complementary medicine appear less likely to prescribe antibiotics
Use of complementary/alternative medicine may help reduce over prescribing of antibiotics GP surgeries with doctors who also have training in complementary and alternative medicines appear to be less likely to prescribe antibiotics to patients and may hold the key to reducing over-prescribing of these drugs, suggests a study published in the journal BMJ Open. Inappropriate […]
2016 junior doctor strikes in England had ‘significant impact’ on healthcare provision
Thousands of appointments cancelled; effects greatest when emergency care withdrawn The 2016 junior doctors strikes in England had a ‘significant’ impact on the provision of healthcare, with thousands of appointments cancelled, and significantly fewer admissions and A&E attendances than expected, reveals research published in the online journal BMJ Open. The effects were greatest during the last of […]