E-cigarette use, abortion legislation and mortality in marginally housed adults: Most read articles in September

Entering the Top 10 Most Read this month is Shiplo et al‘s paper on the prevalence and patterns of use of e-cigarettes in a sample of both smokers and non-smokers in Canada, measured via a cross-sectional survey. Also new are Hysing et al‘s paper on the relationship between adolescent use of electronic devices and sleep deficiency and […]

Read More…

Peer Review Week: An analysis of peer review style and quality

This week celebrates the first ever Peer Review Week; a collaborative concept from ORCID, Wiley, Sense About Science and ScienceOpen, to highlight and celebrate the invaluable role peer review plays in scientific and medical publishing. Here at BMJ Open we are, of course, advocates of open peer review and as such are pleased to be publishing […]

Read More…

Introducing ‘How to write and publish a Study Protocol’ using BMJ’s new eLearning programme: Research to Publication

Study protocols are an integral part of medical research. They provide a documented record of a researcher’s plan of action, detailing in advance a study’s rationale, methodology and analyses. Publication of study protocols ensures greater transparency in the research process and protects the wider community against a number of damaging research practices. These include the […]

Read More…

12+ hour hospital nursing shifts linked to heightened risk of burnout and job dissatisfaction

Findings similar across 12 European countries, and run counter to perceived value of longer shifts Working 12+ hour shifts is linked to a heightened risk of burnout, job dissatisfaction, and intention to leave among hospital nurses in 12 European countries, finds research published in the online journal BMJ Open. The findings run counter to the […]

Read More…

Euthanasia requests, the risks of heavy smoking and alcohol use in older people: Most read articles in August

A few new entries are included in August’s Top 10 Most Read as well as some popular articles from previous months. New entries include Thienpont et al‘s paper on euthanasia requests among psychiatric patients and Elwyn et al‘s paper on the motivations of patients to record their clinical encounters, measured by a mixed-methods analysis of survey data. […]

Read More…

Forum 2015: Global Forum on Research and Innovation for Health

With the aim of identifying solutions to the world’s unmet health needs through research and innovation, Forum 2015 provided delegates with a unique global platform on which to present ideas for innovation in health and create partnerships for action. The Council on Health Research for Development (COHRED) partnered with the Philippines for this event, which […]

Read More…

“Substantial” number of NHS hospital staff treat victims of human trafficking

Maternity services most likely to do so; but staff across NHS don’t know how best to respond A “substantial” proportion of NHS hospital staff—around one in eight, in some places—treat the victims of people trafficking, with maternity services most likely to do so, finds research published in the online journal BMJ Open. Although understanding of the […]

Read More…

Research priorities for Parkinson’s, aphasia rehabilitation and urban planning: Most read articles in July

A number of new papers are included in July’s Top 10 Most Read, including a realist policy analysis research programme by Harris et al which aims to observe the land-use planning system in New South Wales, Australia, and how it incorporates health and health equity at multiple levels. Power et al‘s article takes a look at best practice statements for use in post-stroke […]

Read More…

Depression and personality disorders most common diagnoses in psychiatric patients requesting euthanasia

  Most common diagnoses among those requesting help to die, due to unbearable suffering Depression and personality disorders are the most common diagnoses among Belgian psychiatric patients requesting help to die, on the grounds of unbearable suffering, finds research published in BMJ Open today. Drugs, given either by mouth or administered intravenously, are used to perform euthanasia […]

Read More…

‘Successful ageing’ linked to harmful drinking among over 50s

The over 50s who are ‘successful agers’—healthy, active, sociable, and well off—are more at risk of harmful drinking than their less successful peers, concludes research published in the online journal BMJ Open. Harmful drinking is a “middle class phenomenon” which may be a hidden health and social problem in otherwise successful older people, warn the […]

Read More…