There was a time when academic and government researchers performed experiments that were clearly unethical—such as letting syphilis go untreated, or asking people to administer severe electric shocks to each […]
Guest writers
Chris Naylor: Is mental health finally becoming a political priority?
Last week saw announcements on mental health from both the government and the opposition. With the Liberal Democrats pledging to put mental health on the front page of their election […]
The “Cordon Sanitaire Hospital:” A vision being fulfilled
Seven years ago, we outlined our vision of a humanitarian hospital. As Israelis who had witnessed the suffering of the citizens of Gaza, we felt compelled to develop a model […]
Ferelith Gaze: Clarity and stability for the NHS in a time of political uncertainty
We are all prey to systemic amnesia, and in the final 100 days before the 2015 general election, we need to be mindful of the particular vulnerability of the NHS […]
Doug Altman: Author overboard—arbitrary limits at journals
Recently I was bounced off the authorship of a letter to the editor. I had been one of four authors of a research paper published in a leading medical journal. […]
Sarah Kessler interviews Atul Gawande
Atul Gawande, surgeon, author, and indie DJ (check his Twitter feed for mini playlists between the policy), just delivered the Reith Lectures for BBC Radio 4. Broadcast to more than 50 […]
Charlotte McIntyre: How to survive your surgical ARCP
The Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) was introduced in 2007, as part of the implementation of Modernising Medical Careers (MMC), and can be an especially daunting time for surgeons […]
Mike Smeeton: How to achieve a good death
Two nurses from our Sue Ryder Nettlebed Hospice were interviewed recently by Paddy O’Connell for his Broadcasting House programme that airs on BBC Radio 4 every Sunday. The reason for […]
Frank Chalmers: Channel swimming—the great leveller
As soon as I opened The BMJ Christmas paper, Captain Webb’s legacy: the perils of swimming the English Channel, I knew I was in for something different. The Channel fare I’m used […]
Global Health Film initiative: I Am Breathing
Mobile phone company: “Hello sir, I hear you are wanting to disconnect. Can we ask why sir?” Neil: “Because I’m dying.” Phone company: “Would it make a difference if we […]