|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
© Newswise.
|
|
Southern Medical Journal Launches 'Rapid Response' Feature
Newswise — "Doctor, I heard about a new study that said my diabetes medicine increases the risk of a heart attack. Should I stop taking it?" If you're a practicing physician, chances are you hear questions like this from patients on a regular basis—often before you've had a chance to read the new research and form an opinion on how it affects your practice and your patients. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW), a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, provider of leading healthcare content, context and consulting, and the editors of the Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) are pleased to announce a new online feature designed to help physicians learn about, interpret, and implement the results of important new studies. The new feature, called "Rapid Response," is available now on the SMJ website: http://www.sma.org/smj/rapid_response. "In developing Rapid Response, our goal was to help keep physicians informed on medical studies of pressing interest," says Dr. Ronald C. Hamdy, Editor-in-Chief of SMJ. The SMJ is published by the Southern Medical Association (SMA) and LWW. "Our common/shared desire is to provide information to help our readers interpret the published data and integrate the findings in their day to day practice." With the ever-increasing volume of research—along with instantaneous dissemination of information and the prominence of health-related stories in the media—physicians are commonly asked for their opinions about studies that they haven't even seen, let alone read and analyze. "Based on their interpretation of the results, patients may even decide to alter their dose or even discontinue taking their medication, which may have serious consequences," says Dr. Hamdy. In the new Rapid Response section, the editors of SMJ identify and provide links to important new studies—focusing on research likely to have a significant impact on clinical practice. Each topic is accompanied by one or more invited commentaries written by experts in the relevant fields. "The experts are asked to interpret the findings in the context of the practicing clinician and individual patient, to place the issue in perspective of the larger context, and to make specific practical recommendations," according to Dr. Hamdy. Initial topics selected for Rapid Responses include many of the studies that have made headlines in recent weeks: the possible cardiovascular risks of rosiglitazone, the safety of antipsychotics for patients with dementia, and the relationship between vitamin D intake and breast cancer risk, to name just a few. Subsequent topics run the gamut from the latest developments in stem cell research to complementary and alternative medicine therapies for common clinical problems. New articles and commentaries will be posted at frequent intervals. Rapid Response is available free of charge to all readers. In the near future, the editors hope to add new interactive features, including the opportunity for our readers to post comments, opinions, and questions. Dr. Hamdy says, "We indeed hope that our web-based Rapid Response section will spawn several communities of interest and provide a forum for interested parties to exchange ideas and concerns, interact with each other, and gain a better appreciation of the impact of many published papers." "The main goal of the SMJ is to help clinicians provide the best possible care for their patients." Dr. Hamdy adds. "We hope that this new endeavor will help us to accomplish our mission." About the Southern Medical Journal About the Southern Medical Association About Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
