Contents: December 2004
Editorials
Peace through health
War and violent conflict constitute a serious threat to health. Thomas MacMahon and Neil Arya introduce a fairly new academic discipline: “Peace through Health”
Betting your life on it
Problem gambling has clear health related consequences, says Mark Griffiths. And UK legislation surrounding gambling is about to be relaxed
News
Drug company marketing is aimed at medical students
Doctors angry at limited smoking ban
Charity aims to distribute donated drugs to developing countries
Medics worldwide: news and opportunities from the IFMSA
Students teaching IT skills bridges digital divide
WHO denies supressing report on junk food
Russia fails to ban drinking in public despite soaring alcoholism
Education
Picture Quiz: Clostridium difficile
Beginners' guide to genetics: congenital malformations
In the fourth part of our series, Adrián J González and colleagues describe how congenitial malformations occur
Clinical exam skills: Breathlessness
In the fourth part of our series, Ian Bickle, Fionnuala Crummy, and Barry Kelly guide you through another typical exam question
Vascular examination: varicose veins
Varicose veins are a common problem that also comes up frequently in clinical examination stations. Lisa Jeavons and Suneeta Kochhar take you through the history, examination, and treatment
Pub medic: Low carb diets
Supermarket shelves contain an increasing number of low carbohydrate products, because of the popularity of the Atkins and South Beach diets. Shairoz Samji looks at how low carbohydrate diets works and takes a look at their consequences for health
Picture quiz: Giant Cellarteritis
Careers
How to write a good feature
Wannabe writers often email the studentBMJ asking how to write a feature. Experienced journalist Lynn Eaton gives the lowdown
Understanding personality type: How do you like to take in information? Sensing and intuition
In the third article of her series, Anita Houghton explains the two different ways in which people take in information and how both kinds of information processing can complement each other
Rhona's rules (on what being a medical student is all about)
In her last issue as senior editor of the studentBMJ, RhonaMacDonald shares her take on life
Life and loathes of a new doctor: Team colours
Space medicine in the United Kingdom
What has intensive care got to do with a mission to Mars? How can human space travel benefit hospital patients? What on earth is space medicine and why do we need it? Julie Sladden recently went along to the UK's first Space Medicine Day to find out
15 minute interview: A space cadet
Papers
Paper plus: Reducing the risk of trasnmitting HIV from mother to child in Africa
Trish Groves takes you through a quality improvement report about HIV services in Zimbabwe
Life
Modern grave robbers
What would you do if human bones were an essential part of your medical course but your university could not afford them? Three medics from Pakistan present some ways out of the dilemma
Gynaecological teaching associates
They have been branded as hired prostitutes, lesbians, and women do-gooders, but gynaecological teaching associates provide UK medical students with experience in gynaecological examinations and are being used in an increasing number of countries. Lucy Cowdrey finds out more
ER elective
Simon Crouch always enjoyed ER, so much so that he spent an elective in Hollywood to see how it is made
Medical marriages
Some brave doctors shared their views and tips with Julie Sladden about how to have a thriving (rather than merely surviving) marriage
Letters
Hostage experience in Saudi Arabia
Therapeutic cloning should be allowed
My medical school teaches without humiliation
Reviews
Gynaecological teaching associates are not the answer
