Contents February 2001
News
NICE issues guidance on drug therapy in Alzheimer's disease
In Reply
Patient-friendly guidelines may aid patient compliance
Mr Simon Arden-Davies suggests that patient-friendly guidelines may help solve the problem of poor patient compliance in his PCG
Editorial
New guidance on Alzheimer's drugs poses challenge for GPs
Dr Richard Harvey, Director of Research, Alzheimer's Society
Personal View
SIGN head injury guidance is a valuable tool for GPs
Reading the SIGN head injury guideline has prompted GP Dr Chris Barclay to improve his history taking and case analysis
eGuidelines
eGuidelines update
Guidelines summaries and Guidelines in Practice online at http:/eguidelines.co.uk
Guideline Development
SIGN guideline aims to improve outcome after head injury
The new SIGN guideline is designed to help doctors provide early and more effective treatment for patients with head injury, as Mr Douglas Gentleman explains
Guideline Development
MAG screening tool and guidelines set to combat malnutrition
The MAG guidelines and screening tool aim to improve patient outcome by early detection and treatment of undernutrition in the community. Dr Marinos Elia reports
Locality Initiative
Improving healthcare delivery using the EFQM Excellence Model
Brenda Bulman and Dr Adrian Davies describe how 'Developing Excellence', an integrated approach to quality improvement, resulted in better services for patients
Audit
Practice audit points the way to improved monitoring of CHD
Dr Nigel Watson describes an audit carried out in his practice to improve the care of CHD patients and hence reduce the associated morbidity and mortality
Medico-legal Issues in Practice
What to do when competent patients refuse treatment
In the second article in this series, Dr Gerard Panting, of the MPS, discusses what doctors should do when patients refuse treatment recommended by guidelines
Electronic Communication
The National electronic Library for Health is an invaluable resource
In the second article in this series, Dr Nigel Watson explains the structure of the NeLH, highlighting the benefits for primary care professionals and patients
Key Organisations
The Clinical Effectiveness and Evaluation Unit, RCP
Dr Mike Pearson, Director, CEEU, Royal College of Physicians
CLIP Database
Clinical Improvements Online Database: a new initiative
Introducing a new eGuidelines resource for local clinical practice projects
Questions & Answers
Your problems solved
Our editorial board answer your questions on differences in commissioning across PCG/Ts and choosing an audit design
Notes for Authors
Writing for Guidelines in Practice: instructions for authors
Authors are advised to follow these instructions carefully to ensure that their article is processed smoothly and quickly
Out of Hours
Guidelines for research on underwear
Dr Phil Hammond, GP, lecturer and presenter of BBC2's Trust Me, I'm a Doctor
