Popular opinion from many failed previous health programme implementations is that vertical programmes are resource consuming and might not be very helpful to strengthen health systems. [1] The same was […]
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Jeffrey Aronson: When I use a word . . . Adam’s apple
The Hebrew name of the first man, Adam (אדם), was also used to mean “man” itself, although the more usual word is “ish” (איש). The origin of the name is unknown, […]
David Zigmond: Competence or compliance? The corrosive cost of professional practitioner appraisals
Current appraisal systems sacrifice more of value than they can assure. Clarifying why and how this happens gives us wider insights into our ill faring welfare systems. “The more laws, […]
Neville Goodman’s metaphor watch: Blind alleys and wrong trees
Research is difficult. Long hours in the laboratory, or tedious hours in the clinic, guarantee nothing. There are lots of blind alleys, dead ends, cul-de-sacs, false trails, wild goose chases, […]
The BMJ Today: The FDA, drug addicts, and standing with junior doctors
• The FDA’s new clothes Two new research papers (here and here) and a linked editorial take a detailed look at the FDA’s regulatory process. They present concerns that the […]
Samir Dawlatly: Why bother with my cholesterol?
For reasons that I have previously written about, I have to have my blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose checked every year. These measurements have always been normal. Of these, […]
Oommen C. Kurian: Dengue in Delhi—fighting an outbreak with the wrong numbers and an unwilling private sector
The current dengue outbreak in Delhi came to international prominence following the unfortunate incident of a young couple who committed suicide after their son was rejected treatment by many prominent […]
#imajuniordoctor: Junior doctors respond to the new junior doctor contract on social media
An online petition has already collected over 50,000 signatures calling for the BMA to support doctors taking strike action against the planned introduction of new junior doctor contracts. Doctors are concerned […]
Richard Smith: Reading for a long life
At 63 I’m preparing for my capacities and faculties to fall away, and I think about what I hope to preserve. Taking being with those I love as a given, […]
The BMJ Today: Food fights and contract concerns
• The scientific report guiding the US dietary guidelines: is it scientific? For years, Western dietary guidelines have recommended that we follow a low fat diet: eat less meat, less […]