August/September 1999
News
DoH announces first treatments to be assessed by NICE
RCP guidelines tackle shortfalls in domiciliary oxygen therapy
Editorial
GPs have key role in decisions on withholding treatment
Dr Jane Richards, GP and member of the BMA MEC Working Group which prepared the guidance
Personal View
Anaphylaxis guidance will save lives
Dr Matthew Lockyer welcomes timely new guidelines on the emergency medical treatment of anaphylactic reactions
Letters
Opinion on GP treatment of drug misusers divided
Guidelines in Practice welcomes letters; if would you like to share your views with other readers, please write in
Guideline Development
BMA guidance clarifies issues on withdrawal of treatment
Dr Michael Wilks explains how the new guidance will help doctors to make compassionate decisions that are in the patient's best interests
Practice Initiatives
Pragmatic use of practice guidelines cuts GIT drug costs
Dr Tim Harlow describes how practice guidelines on upper gastrointestinal acid-related disease improved patient care and cut prescribing costs
Audit
GP audit highlights the need to improve lithium monitoring
Dr Nigel Watson describes how an audit of patients on lithium therapy in his practice prompted the development of an action plan to improve monitoring
IT Developments
PCG communication: the road to a common purpose?
An electronic conferencing system that offers PCGs an exciting means of internal communication may be the key to survival, suggests Dr Mark Wood
Tips on Guideline Use
How to introduce a new guideline in your practice
Good planning raises the chances of achieving your goals, explains Dr Mark Charny in the seventh article in this series
Questions & Answers
Your problems solved
Our editorial board answer your questions on what to tell patients who download guidelines from the internet and how evidence-based medicine will affect innovation
Out of Hours
Guidelines on ringing a consultant at home
Dr Phil Hammond, GP, lecturer and presenter of BBC2's Trust Me, I'm a Doctor
