Bits & pieces

"Medical student's disease" does exist: A recent study (Medical Education 2001;35:724-8) shows that medical students are more emotionally disturbed by any physical symptoms they experience than law students. First year students were more distressed and had more hypochondriacal concerns than third year students. Matching personal symptoms to illnesses still happens in older students, but they do not get so distressed about it.

Young doctors are unhappy with their communication skills: Despite receiving undergraduate teaching on communication skills, preregistration house officers often fail to put them into practice, mainly due to lack of time and tiredness. The PRHOs in a qualitative study (Medical Education 2001;35:743-7) also confessed to becoming "immune to any emotions" and often could not discuss these issues with senior staff.

Students urged to act on global health: The charity Medact is encouraging doctors and medical students to write to Gro Brundtland, director general of the WHO; Kofi Annan, secretary general of the UN; and the UK prime minister, Tony Blair, to say that the proposed Global Health Fund should provide long term support for countries rather than isolated disease control programmes. For further information contact info@medact.org or phone 020 7272 2020.

MS day will discuss problems for younger people: The Multiple Sclerosis Society is having a one day event for younger people living with multiple sclerosis on 15 September in Birmingham. There will be presentations and discussions on personal relationships, employment issues, and leisure activities as well as the latest information on MS treatment and research. For further information email pcrosman@mssociety.org.uk or phone 020 8438 0817.



studentBMJ 2001;09:305-356 September ISSN 0966-6494