Hospital medicine (London, England : 1998)
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Two recent Court of Appeal decisions have modified the hitherto settled rules governing the compensation payable following failed and negligently performed sterilization. Compensation is now possible other than for the pain and suffering of the pregnancy where the child or mother is disabled.
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A survey of all medical specialist registrars in the UK reveals that a large majority oppose shift working patterns because of their adverse impact on training and quality of life, and on continuity and quality of patient care. This conflicts with the current drive to switch virtually all trainees to shifts by 2004, to comply with the European Union Working Time Directive. More debate is urgently needed.
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Salvage of the acutely ischaemic lower limb represents a large proportion of the emergency workload for the vascular surgeon. A successful outcome is dependent upon a careful clinical assessment and a prompt multidisciplinary approach to revascularization.
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New treatments, such as leflunomide and biologic therapy, are making an important impact on the management of rheumatoid arthritis. This article reviews the efficacy of these agents, the use of combination therapy, and the importance of early treatment with a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug.