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July 1999

News

BMA issues guidance on withdrawing treatment

RCN launches guidelines on assessing pain in children

Editorial

Do GPs want to manage drug misusers?

Dr Rob Wicks, general practitioner in Eastbourne, Sussex

Personal View

Applying the GMC's guidance on obtaining consent

Dr Greg Dilliway welcomes the GMC's new guidance on consent, but argues that it may be difficult to apply in practice

Letters

When should you measure children's height and weight?

Guidelines in Practice welcomes letters; if would you like to share your views with other readers, please write in

Guideline Development

Updated guidance on drug misusers focuses on primary care

The new Orange Book guidelines provide extensive practical advice for GPs on managing drug misusers, as Professor John Strang explains

Guideline Implementation

Implementing asthma guidelines at practice level

Dr Charles Sears describes how his practice adapted the BTS guidelines on asthma management to suit their patient population

Audit

Cholesterol testing in general practice: who, why and so what?

A retrospective study of lipid testing in Dr David Starritt's practice confirmed that hyperlipidaemia can be managed effectively in primary care

IT Developments

Path.Finder a tool for improving GP communication

Simon Pearson and Dr Tom Kennedy describe the development of a locally managed clinical information system now used by more than 300 GPs countrywide

Tips on Guideline Use

How to draw up your own guidelines?

Dr Mark Charny discusses what you need to consider before developing a local guideline, in the sixth article in this series

Questions & Answers

Your problems solved

Our editorial board answer your questions on what to do when guidelines don't work and how to choose between guidelines

Out of Hours

Guidelines on doctor patient communication

Dr Phil Hammond, GP, lecturer and presenter of BBC2's Trust Me, I'm a Doctor