Contents – August 2005

Personal View

Guidance will help GPs decide when to test for HIV

Increased uptake of HIV testing should reduce transmission and facilitate early treatment, says Dr Jez Thompson

News

National asthma guideline revised

In Reply

Practice registers are key to care pathway for falls

Elderly patients should be asked about their history of falls so that they can undergo specialist assessment, says Alison Wall

New GP Contract

Have QOF indicators improved epilepsy management?

Tackling the indicators in the nGMS contract is an important step towards providing structured care for patients with epilepsy, says Dr Andrew Orr

New Guidelines: Development

SIGN clarifies the use of mood stabalisers in bipolar disorder

Evidence-based guidance should improve the shared care management of bipolar affective disorder in the community, says Professor Klaus Ebmeier

New GP Contract

Achieving the points for medicines management

Dr Nigel Watson discusses how practices in his area have fared in meeting the challenges posed by the medicines management indicators

Medico-legal Issues in Practice

Weigh up the risks and benefits before treating members of your family

Giving medical care to a relative may appear a logical course of action, but it can put both doctor and patient in a precarious position, as Dr Gerard Panting explains

Notes for Authors

Writing for Guidelines in Practice: instructions for authors

Focus on CME

Guidelines in Practice CME questions: 47

Write the answers in the spaces provided, then cut out the pages and put them in your personal development plan

NICE Referral Guide

NICE referral summaries

Meetings & Conferences

Diary of events

Please let us know of your forthcoming meetings and workshops for inclusion in our events diary

Out of Hours

Guidelines for speaking at medical student balls

Dr Phil Hammond, broadcaster and GP returner in Bristol