Making a big difference in patient care
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It’s not often that medical professionals ask the general public for input. But that’s what the British Medical Journal is doing. Later this month, the journal and its 24 sister publications will choose one topic that is ‘an area of healthcare in which doctors can make the greatest difference to patient care.’ And the public gets to vote.
The journal has already created a short list of six worthy topics. After selecting the winner in a popular vote, journal editors will encourage research and awareness on the issue over the next 12 months.
The topics are:
- Drug-resistant infections in poor countries, especially those that affect children
- Multiple health problems in the elderly and how primary care doctors or other health professionals can best serve them
- Excessive drinking by young women
- Management of chronic pain
- Adverse drug reactions among elderly people
- Providing quality palliative care, which comforts a patient but does not cure, to anyone with a fatal illness, not just cancer patients.
The ‘Making a Difference’ website describes the six topics and includes comments from doctors who champion each particular idea. You can vote until April 16. The winning topic will be announced April 25.
- Shari Roan