Contents: October 2003

Front cover (large)

Contents page (PDF)

Editorials

Uniting the studentBMJ and the IFMSA
After 18 months of discussion, the studentBMJ and the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA) have united. Anna Ellis, former editor of the studentBMJ, and Kristina Oegaard, president of IFMSA, explain the situation

Brain injury and heading in soccer
Head to ball contact is unlikely to cause injury but head to head contact might, argues Paul McCroryhether

Indigenous by definition, experience, or world view
Links between people, their environment, and culture need to be acknowledged, say Chris Cunningham and Fiona Stanley

IFMSA advertisement feature

News

Leading US academic tells studentBMJ Ritalin use in students is acceptable

Adolescent care after disasters must address mental health

Part man, part machine, all doc

Two fifths of women have no interest in sex

Students should understand gay health needs

Interacting with surgical team improves students' learning

Doctor-patient relationship second only to family

US medical students opt for better life not better pay

In brief...

Education

Picture Quiz: A comma in the colon

Introduction to imaging: Ionising radiation
In the first part of our new series about medical imaging, John Frank looks in detail at imaging techniques that use ionising radiation

Beyond the name
Ever wondered how illnesses got their name? Sammy Radstone takes a look at the people who gave their name to medicine

Helminthic infections
Parasitic worms have largely been overlooked by medicine, but attitudes are changing with the realisation that they can seriously affect child development and that treatment is easy and cheap, say Shally Awasthi, D A P Bundy, and Lorenzo Savioli

10 minute consultation: High result in prostate specific antigen test
Max Mokete, Kieran O'Flynn and Alison Palmer guide you through what to do if the prostate antigen levels are raised

All the things that aspirin does
Aspirin helps more than just aches and pains--its properties go far beyond that. Rod Flower explains

Educational review

Careers

Publishing: Designing a website and writing
Do you think you are expert enough on a subject to write a book or produce a website about it Mohammad Al-Ubaydli kicks off our two part series on how to publish

Modernising medical careers

A dual calling
José Freire is both a doctor and a priest in a busy parish. Tiago Villanueva talks to him about his vocations

From student to president
Only three years ago, Emily Spry was a first year medical student, yet she has managed to become president of the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations. Tim Rittman found out what drives her

Getting that job: Deciding to apply<
In the first of a series of three articles about getting the job or position you want, Anita Houghton challenges you to ask yourself "Do I really want the job?" and "Am I suited to it?"

The advice zone
Got a career or university related problem that needs answering? Can't find the right person to point you in the right direction? Log on to the Advice Zone at www.bmjcareers.com/advicezone to post a question or to see if one of our experts has already solved your problem

Papers

Paper plus: Systematic review of evidence supporting preparticipation physical examinations for athletics
This month, Domhnall MacAuley takes you through a systematic review about the value of doing physical examinations before sport

Life

Overwhelmed, overworked, overtired, and over there
Long hours, intense teaching sessions, and strict punctuality; Mark Silvert got more than he bargained for at Harvard Medical School

Planning your elective: the United States
Mark Wilson gives some tips on planning your elective at a top US medical school

Flying in the face of danger
Flying at fast speeds can cause a multitude of specific health complaints. Mikko Kaupinnen speaks to Juha Salminen, a pilot in the Finnish air force, about the health risks of being a fighter pilot

The ultimate form of family planning?
Susmita Barman investigates how, despite the Indian government's attempt to clamp down on the use of techniques to select sex, female feticide still occurs

Liberian refugees teach HIV awareness in Ghana
Despite being displaced from their home country, Liberian refugees are grouping together to fight HIV and gain a better education. Mareeni Raymond visits a Liberian refugee camp and talks to its inhabitants

Necrorealism: a Russian death experience
The necrorealism movement attempts to view death in a different light through the medium of film. Andrew Iles joined the experts for a day to explore the concepts behind this genre

Letters