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Contents – June 2003

News

SIGN osteoporosis guideline targets high-risk patients
Methadone maintenance guidelines improve outcomes in primary care
Guidelines in Practice Awards 2003 – final call for entries

Personal View

SIGN guideline will help GPs tackle childhood obesity

The rise in childhood obesity cannot be ignored and primary care has a vital role to play in combating it, says Dr Peter Saul

Guideline Development

Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis guidelines reflect latest evidence

New guidelines should help prevent fragility fractures in this often overlooked condition, as Dr Juliet Compston, chair of the RCP Guidelines Writing Group, explains

Beacon Awards

GP specialists help to enhance provision of local clinical services

Setting up a network of GPs with special interests can mean more flexible services for patients and greater job satisfaction for GPs, as Maureen Bower explains

Patient Group Directions

How to set up a PGD for Hib immunisation

A new national campaign aims to cut the number of cases of Haemophilus influenzae infection. Jane Chiodini explains how to set up a PGD for Hib vaccination

Medico-legal Issues in General Practice

What rules should you follow when offering advice via the internet?

GPs must be cautious about advising patients over the internet lest they leave themselves open to negligence claims, as Dr Gerard Panting explains

Focus on CME

Guidelines in Practice CME questions: 22

Download the PDF, write the answers in the spaces provided, and keep the pages in your personal development plan

Your Problems Solved: IT

Our panel of experts answer your questions on IT

Dr Nigel Watson answers questions on record keeping, software for analysing computer records and NHSmail

Patient Information

SIGN patient information: 10. Colorectal cancer

Notes for Authors

Writing for Guidelines in Practice: instructions for authors

NICE Referral Guide

NICE Referral Summaries

Guidelines in Practice Awards 2003

Entry form

Full details on how to enter this year's Awards

Out of Hours

Don’t panic: how to handle health scares with aplomb

Dr Phil Hammond, GP and broadcaster