Can IT lead to radical redesign of health care?
	Richard Smith
	BMJ  2004;328, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.0-f [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] FREE

This week in the BMJ

This week's This week in the BMJ

	Online communication improves the quality of health care [Full text] FREE

	Handheld computers may improve patients' care [Full text] FREE

	Do virtual communities help patients? [Full text] FREE

	Computers do not prevent all inappropriate prescriptions [Full text] FREE

	Soft networks close the gap between research and practice [Full text] FREE

Editorials

This week's Editorials

	What next for electronic communication and health care?
	Alejandro R Jadad, Tony Delamothe
	BMJ  2004;328:1143-1144, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1143 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

	National programme for information technology
	Michael Humber
	BMJ  2004;328:1145-1146, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1145 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

	Beyond the gadgets
	Nancy M Lorenzi
	BMJ  2004;328:1146-1147, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1146 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

	Will e-learning improve clinical judgment?
	Daniel J Klass
	BMJ  2004;328:1147-1148, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1147 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

	The first generation of e-patients
	Tom Ferguson, Gilles Frydman
	BMJ  2004;328:1148-1149, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1148 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] [extra: Reading list and web resources]

	Evaluation of ehealth systems and services
	David H Gustafson, Jeremy C Wyatt
	BMJ  2004;328:1150, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1150 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

Letters

This week's Letters

	NHS national programme for information technology: Changes must involve clinicians and show the value to patient care
	John Powell
	BMJ  2004;328:1200, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1200 [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	NHS national programme for information technology: Programme erodes confidentiality of medical records
	Ted A Willis
	BMJ  2004;328:1200, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1200-a [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Internet access is a socioeconomic issue
	Geoff Wong
	BMJ  2004;328:1200-1201, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1200-b [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Sustainability of medical imaging: Proposed licensing system and consent procedure are impractical
	Bob Bury
	BMJ  2004;328:1201, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1201 [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Sustainability of medical imaging: To obtain informed consent from everyone is impossible
	Mark Lewars
	BMJ  2004;328:1201, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1201-a [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Use of healthcare resources in the last six months of life: Findings should be approached with caution outside United States
	Tom Love, Tom Fahey
	BMJ  2004;328:1201, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1201-b [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Use of healthcare resources in the last six months of life: Paper contains absolutely gorgeous and diverting sentence
	Robert I Rudolph
	BMJ  2004;328:1201-1202, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1201-c [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Use of healthcare resources in the last six months of life: How doctors learn may explain results
	Rachelle E Bernacki
	BMJ  2004;328:1202, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1202 [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Use of healthcare resources in the last six months of life: Author's reply
	Jonathan S Skinner
	BMJ  2004;328:1202, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1202-a [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Alcohol evidence and policy: Harm reduction strategy is triumph of spin over substance
	Rod MacQueen
	BMJ  2004;328:1202, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1202-b [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Alcohol evidence and policy: Alternative tax strategy is possible
	Steven Ford
	BMJ  2004;328:1202-1203, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1202-c [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Alcohol evidence and policy: Decimalise measure of alcohol
	George J Addis
	BMJ  2004;328:1203, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1203 [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Alcohol evidence and policy: Beliefs and evidence: asking question might help
	Denis Colligan
	BMJ  2004;328:1203, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1203-a [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Evidence base: rock of certainty or shifting sands?: Where is the evidence for "evidence based"?
	Harold A Maio
	BMJ  2004;328:1203, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1203-b [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Evidence base: rock of certainty or shifting sands?: Not a rock of certainty—but stepping stones?
	Tari J Turner
	BMJ  2004;328:1203, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1203-c [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Universal consent form might help
	Ian M Frayling
	BMJ  2004;328:1203, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1203-d [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

News

This week's News

	WHO admits its target on AIDS drugs may be unrealistic
	Fiona Fleck
	BMJ  2004;328:1151, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1151 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

	In brief
	BMJ  2004;328:1152, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1152 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

	Pregnancy and childbirth are leading causes of death in teenage girls in developing countries
	Susan Mayor
	BMJ  2004;328:1152, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1152-a [Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

	Whistleblower removed from job for talking to the press
	Jeanne Lenzer
	BMJ  2004;328:1153, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1153 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

	Six health workers sentenced to death in Libya
	Katka Krosnar
	BMJ  2004;328:1153, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1153-a [Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

	electronic communication and health care: Electronic prescribing could save at least $29bn
	Janice Hopkins Tanne
	BMJ  2004;328:1155, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1155 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

	electronic communication and health care: US doctors want to be paid for email communication with patients
	Scott Gottlieb
	BMJ  2004;328:1155, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1155-a [Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

	electronic communication and health care: EU wants every member to develop a "roadmap" for ehealth
	Rory Watson
	BMJ  2004;328:1155, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1155-b [Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

	electronic communication and health care: Can the new "electronic highway" for the NHS have a smooth launch?
	Geoff Watts
	BMJ  2004;328:1156, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1156 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

	electronic communication and health care: Paper prescriptions will soon be distinctly "last season"
	Geoff Watts
	BMJ  2004;328:1156, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1156-a [Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

	electronic communication and health care: All hospital bookings to be done electronically by end of 2005
	Rebecca Coombes
	BMJ  2004;328:1157, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1157 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

	electronic communication and health care: GPs worried about having to change to new untested software systems
	Rebecca Coombes
	BMJ  2004;328:1157, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1157-a [Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

	electronic communication and health care: The professor of "telepreventive medicine"
	Gavin Yamey
	BMJ  2004;328:1158, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1158 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

News roundup [abridged versions appear in the paper journal]

This week's News roundup

	Judge finds Governor Bush's law unconstitutional
	Fred Charatan
	BMJ  2004;328:1154, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1154 [Extract] [Abridged text] [Abridged PDF] [Full text]

	Five cases of child murder to be reopened
	Owen Dyer
	BMJ  2004;328:1154, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1154-a [Extract] [Abridged text] [Abridged PDF] [Full text]

	Human rights group accuses Russian government of hampering efforts to tackle HIV/AIDS
	Andrew Osborn
	BMJ  2004;328:1154, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1154-b [Extract] [Abridged text] [Abridged PDF] [Full text]

	Robin Cook warns of threat to aid from war against terrorism
	Lynn Eaton
	BMJ  2004;328:1154, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1154-c [Extract] [Abridged text] [Abridged PDF] [Full text]

	BMA settles in race discrimination cases
	Owen Dyer
	BMJ  2004;328:1154, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1154-d [Extract] [Abridged text] [Abridged PDF] [Full text]

News extra [these stories appear only on the web]

This week's News extra

	Generics industry and doctors nervous over free trade deal
	Bob Burton
	BMJ  2004;328:1158, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1158-a [Extract] [Full text]

	Experts urge action to stop animal diseases infecting humans
	Fiona Fleck
	BMJ  2004;328:1158, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1158-b [Extract] [Full text]

	NHS improving—but could still do better, admits health secretary
	Tiago Villanueva
	BMJ  2004;328:1158, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1158-c [Extract] [Full text]

	Welsh health service is "unsustainable," report says
	Roger Dobson
	BMJ  2004;328:1158, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1158-d [Extract] [Full text]

	NHS overcharged for private surgery
	Owen Dyer
	BMJ  2004;328:1158, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1158-e [Extract] [Full text]

	Junior doctors attack government’s training reforms
	Colleen Shannon
	BMJ  2004;328:1158, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1158-f [Extract] [Full text]

Primary care

This week's Primary care

	Health related virtual communities and electronic support groups: systematic review of the effects of online peer to peer interactions
	Gunther Eysenbach, John Powell, Marina Englesakis, Carlos Rizo, Anita Stern
	BMJ  2004;328:1166, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1166 [Abstract] [Abridged text] [Abridged PDF] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] [extra: Tables A-D and appendices 1-3] FREE

	Prescribing safety features of general practice computer systems: evaluation using simulated test cases
	Bernard Fernando, Boki S P Savelyich, Anthony J Avery, Aziz Sheikh, Mike Bainbridge, Pete Horsfield, Sheila Teasdale
	BMJ  2004;328:1171-1172, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1171 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] FREE

	Commentary: Computer aided prescribing leaves holes in the safety net
	R E Ferner
	BMJ  2004;328:1172-1173, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1172 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] FREE

Information in practice

This week's Information in practice

	Soft networks for bridging the gap between research and practice: illuminative evaluation of CHAIN
	Jill Russell, Trisha Greenhalgh, Petra Boynton, Marcia Rigby
	BMJ  2004;328:1174, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1174 [Abstract] [Abridged text] [Abridged PDF] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] [extra: Examples of web request to network messages] FREE

	INFOPOINTS: International online discussion lists on chronic myelogenous leukaemia
	Joana D Ramos, Anjana Rai-Chaudhuri, Robert W Neill
	BMJ  2004;328:1177-1178, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1177 [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] FREE

	INFOPOINTS: Advertising campaign on a major internet search engine to promote colorectal cancer screening
	Crystale Purvis Cooper, Kymber N Williams, Kathleen A Carey, Cameron S Fowler, Marcus Frank, Cynthia A Gelb
	BMJ  2004;328:1179-1180, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1179 [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] [extra: Examples of web adverts] FREE

	INFOPOINTS: Critical care medicine mailing list: growth of an online forum
	Anthony L DeWitt, Scott R Gunn, Phil Hopkins, Stephen Streat
	BMJ  2004;328:1180, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1180 [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] FREE

Clinical review

This week's Clinical review

	Handheld computers
	Mohammad Al-Ubaydli
	BMJ  2004;328:1181-1184, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1181 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

	The clinician's perspective on electronic health records and how they can affect patient care
	Stephen H Walsh
	BMJ  2004;328:1184-1187, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1184 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

Education and debate

This week's Education and debate

	Learning from e-patients at Massachusetts General Hospital
	John Lester, Stephanie Prady, Yolanda Finegan, Dan Hoch
	BMJ  2004;328:1188-1190, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1188 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

	HINARI: bridging the global information divide
	Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi
	BMJ  2004;328:1190-1193, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1190 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

	Digital bridges need concrete foundations: lessons from the Health InterNetwork India
	Shyama Kuruvilla, Joan Dzenowagis, Andrew Pleasant, Ranjan Dwivedi, Nirmala Murthy, Reuben Samuel, Michael Scholtz
	BMJ  2004;328:1193-1196, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1193 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] [extra: Full acknowledgement]

	Four rules for the reinvention of health care
	Enrico Coiera
	BMJ  2004;328:1197-1199, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1197 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

Reviews

This week's Reviews

	Book: The Return of the White Plague: Global Poverty and the New Tuberculosis
	David Mitchell
	BMJ  2004;328:1206, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1206 [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Book: Useful Bodies: Humans in the Service of Medical Science in the Twentieth Century
	Boleslav L Lichterman
	BMJ  2004;328:1207, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1207 [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	Web: Is there a future for links pages?
	Douglas Carnall
	BMJ  2004;328:1207, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1207-a [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	TV: Cosmetic surgery: the new face of reality TV
	Leigh Turner
	BMJ  2004;328:1208, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1208 [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions] FREE

	PERSONAL VIEW: How the internet could help Cuba more in health research
	Rodolfo J Stusser, Robert L Kriel, Richard A Dickey, Linda E Krach
	BMJ  2004;328:1209, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1209 [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

	SOUNDINGS: Discontents
	George Dunea
	BMJ  2004;328:1209, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1209-a [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

Minerva

This week's Minerva

	Minerva
	BMJ  2004;328:1210, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1210 [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

Fillers

This week's Fillers

	POEM*: Strontium reduces risk of symptomatic vertebral fracture
	BMJ  2004;328, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.0-e [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

	One hundred years ago: Messages to medical men
	Percy Sharp
	BMJ  2004;328:1165, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1165 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

	When I use a word: HARMful reactions
	Jeff Aronson
	BMJ  2004;328:1173, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1173 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

	How electronic communication is changing health care: Webchat
	BMJ  2004;328:1178, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1178 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

	The door handle sign
	John Williams
	BMJ  2004;328:1187, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1187 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] FREE

	One hundred years ago: When is a banana ripe?
	BMJ  2004;328:1196, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1196 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

	bmjlearning.com: Menorrhagia
	Gavin Yamey
	BMJ  2004;328:1199, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1199 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

	Advice
	BMJ  2004;328:1204, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1204-a [Extract] [Full text] [Request Permissions]

Corrections

This week's Corrections

	Recurrent hypoglycaemia in a diabetic patient as a result of unexpected renal failure
	BMJ  2004;328:1170, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1170 [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] FREE

	Poor more likely to smoke and less likely to quit
	BMJ  2004;328:1170, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1170-a [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] FREE

	Efficacy and safety of antidepressants for children and adolescents
	BMJ  2004;328:1170, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1170-b [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] FREE

BMJ USA

This week's BMJ USA

	Editor's choice: Fall guy
	Douglas Kamerow
	BMJ  2004;328:E295, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.E295 [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] FREE

	Editorial: Variability in end of life care
	Diane E Meier
	BMJ  2004;328:E296-E297, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.E296 [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] FREE

	Letter: Letter
	Thomas E Lindow
	BMJ  2004;328:E298, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.E298 [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] FREE

	Minerva
	BMJ  2004;328:E299, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.E299 [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] FREE

Obituaries

This week's Obituaries

	Huibert Drion
	Tony Sheldon
	BMJ  2004;328:1204, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1204 [Extract] [Full text]

	Margaret Elizabeth Barden
	Ailsa E Gebbie
	BMJ  2004;328:1205, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1205 [Extract] [Full text] [extra: Longer version]

	Edward Granville Woodchurch Clarke
	Carol French
	BMJ  2004;328:1205, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1205-a [Extract] [Full text] [extra: Longer version]

	Jeffrey Robert Clyne
	J Miles Walker
	BMJ  2004;328:1205, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1205-b [Extract] [Full text] [extra: Longer version]

	John Rodney Cove-Smith
	Jackie Cove-Smith
	BMJ  2004;328:1205, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1205-c [Extract] [Full text] [extra: Longer version]

	Frances Mary Fountain
	Sheila Moore
	BMJ  2004;328:1205, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1205-d [Extract] [Full text] [extra: Longer version]

	George Douglas McIntosh
	A D McIntosh
	BMJ  2004;328:1205, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1205-e [Extract] [Full text] [extra: Longer version]

	James Willocks
	L J Willocks, A W F Miller
	BMJ  2004;328:1205, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1205-f [Extract] [Full text] [extra: Longer version]

Papers

This week's Papers

	Patients' experience with a diabetes support programme based on an interactive electronic medical record: qualitative study
	James D Ralston, Debra Revere, Lynne S Robins, Harold I Goldberg
	BMJ  2004;328:1159, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1159 [Abstract] [Abridged text] [Abridged PDF] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] [extra: Screen shots of the web links] FREE

	Doctors' experience with handheld computers in clinical practice: qualitative study
	Ann Scheck McAlearney, Sharon B Schweikhart, Mitchell A Medow
	BMJ  2004;328:1162, doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1162 [Abstract] [Abridged text] [Abridged PDF] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] FREE

Career focus

Read this week's articles on http://careers.bmj.com/careers/

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