Contents – March 2004

News

NICE guideline will improve diagnosis and optimise management of COPD

BHS updates guidelines on hypertension

In Reply

Which date should we use to record the last seizure?

Dr Andrew Orr answers a reader’s question about how to record data in the epilepsy section of the new GMS contract

Personal View

In defence of Framingham

GPs should keep to their current approach to estimating CHD or CVD risk until better methods are available, says Dr Alan Begg

New Guidelines: Development

NICE guideline will speed up detection of diabetic foot problems

New NICE recommendations for review of type 2 diabetes patients will improve early identification and management of foot problems, says Dr Roger Gadsby

New Guidelines: Review

NICE guideline will help GPs identify eating disorders

GPs can play a key role in recognising patients with eating disorders and offering appropriate therapy, says Dr Peter Saul

New GP Contract

Contract will address needs of patients with severe mental illness

Meeting the mental health indicators will be a challenge for GPs but should bring great benefit to a vulnerable group of patients, says Dr Jill Murie

Medico-legal Issues in General Practice

Contract forges link between quality care and financial reward

Dr Gerard Panting explains the new contract’s mechanisms for ensuring that practices will be rewarded for achieving high quality patient care

Focus on CME

Guidelines in Practice CME questions: 31

Download the PDF, write the answers in the spaces provided, then cut out the pages and put them in your personal deveopment plan

Index

Out of Hours

Reaching for the stars

Dr Phil Hammond, GP and broadcaster