Contents: September 2005

Editorials

H5N1 influenza and the implications for Europe
A pandemic is likely,but Europe is getting prepared, say Denis Coulombier and Karl Ekdahl

Medical needs of immigrant populations
Immigrant populations will lead to new challenges for the NHS in future, argue Shahid Anis Khan and Partha Ghosh

News

News bites

Medics worldwide: news and opportunities from the IFMSA

Education

Taking a history: Introduction and the presenting complaint

Paediatric chest radiographs

ABC of preterm birth : Care in the early newborn period

10 Minute consultation: Anaphylaxis

Interstitial lung disease and weight loss

Mnemonics
When asked to name the facial nerve branches would you go “to zanzibar by motor car”? If so, you’ve used a mnemonic and probably increased your chances of answering the question correctly. Chibuzo Odigwe and Sarah Davidson explain

Should medical students attempt to get consent?
Medical students often help out in theatre, but may not attempt to get a patient’s consent first. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen, says Alexander S J Shaw

Should medical students be introduced to patients as "student doctors"?
In the first article of a new section on medical controversies, Daniel Sokol discusses the implications of introducinging medical students as student doctors

Careers

Laying good foundations
The foundation programme has been introduced this summer in the UK. But next year, there are plans for a national application scheme. Johann Malawana describes the proposals and the implications for students

How to build an impressive CV
Developing your CV may not be your idea of an exciting evening’s entertainment, but it is essential for any job application. Kanchan Sharma tells you how to stay ahead of the pack

The rise and fall of anatomy
Anatomy—nearing extinction or set for a come back? Kaji Sritharan went to a conference to find out

Tips on...Getting teaching on the wards

Trust the voice within
Speaking up in front of fellow medical students at tutorials is not always easy. Allan Lee and Kelvin Lim share their wisdom about how to make yourself heard

Tips on... Buying textbooks

15 minute interview: The new president of the Medical Women's Federation
Bhupinder Sandhu is the president of the Medical Women’s Federation. Combining a career as a high flying professor of paediatric gastroenterology with family life, she epitomises everything that the federation stands for.
Karen Hebert spent 15 minutes with her and found out all about smallpox, DIY, and her involvement in the Medical Women’s Federation.

The advice zone

Papers

Wet combing compared with pediculicides for head lice: single blind randomised study
Head lice are a common problem in schoolchildren, but can physical treatments beat chemicals? Martin Dawes looks at a single blinded randomised study that compared the two

Life

National clinical assessments
The UK’s General Medical Council is currently considering implementing a national clinical assessment. Allison Barrett investigates the pros and cons of the American system, which is now just over a year old

Clinical teachers: the good, the bad, and the ugly
Do you often feel neglected by your clinical teacher on the wards? And do you feel that attending a ward round at 8 am is too much to ask a medical student? Deborah White and coauthors offer a helping hand

Expensive lunch
Michael Westerhaus looks at the implications of free lunches and pharmaceutical gifting of healthcare professionals explains

From bench to bedside
Manique Wijesinghe explains how new drugs become licensed and how the pharmaceutical industry ensures a good return from its investment

Letters

National assessments would improve standards

Homosexuality in India: sex education for all is the answer

Straight outta India: Author's response

Lack of sex separated facilities is religious discrimination

Reviews

Front page pill pushers

Drug companies face the music

Neoachievers

Neonatology

CV and interview skills

Eyespy: September 2005