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Biomedical subjects

S G Barber

Publications and source records attributed to S G Barber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Postgraduate teaching audit by peer review of videotape recordings.

The effectiveness of peer review in postgraduate medical teaching by hospital consultants using videotape recordings of teaching sessions has been assessed. The technique is useful for routine, infrequent and for 'one off' self-tuition. Participants' assessment of the 'clarity of structure' of teaching sessions and 'abilities to self-analyse' did change but 'mannerisms' did not.

Education, Medical, Continuing↗

Can selection of medical staff be improved?

Selection procedures for medical staff have been reviewed. Much can be learnt from industrial practices, including the adoption of 'person specifications', improved references, structured interviews and training for interviewers. Possible supplementation with personality assessments is discussed. The clinical (and financial) importance of appointing the best candidate increased with the seniority of the post.

Interviews as Topic↗

Towards better discharge summaries: brevity and structure.

In an investigation of the communication between Hospital and General Practitioners, 99 General Practitioners were asked by means of a postal questionnaire to state the relative importance they attached to the issues of speed of delivery, format, author, and the content of the discharge summaries. The issue of speed of delivery proved to be a central and recurrent theme in the replies received, with a clear demand for increased speed and efficiency in Hospital-General Practitioner communication. In addition, an overwhelming support was revealed for summaries in the form of short prioritised problem lists, as opposed to longer conventional prose accounts. This response proved to be independent of the style of summary being received by the General Practitioners in the study. With a clear need nationally to improve communication with General Practitioners, consideration should be given to adopting prioritised problem lists as a means of upgrading the quality of data sent to General Practitioners.

Communication↗

Is "benign intracranial hypertension" really benign?

Hypothalamic-hypophyseal insufficiency has been found in seven of eight patients with so-called benign intracranial hypertension, of whom four showed an inadequate adrenal response to stress. The syndrome of benign intracranial hypertension cannot therefore be considered entirely benign and patients should receive full endocrinological assessment and follow up.

Adult↗

Hypopituitarism in normal-pressure hydrocephalus.

Hypothalamic hypopituitarism has been associated with the intermittent intracranial hypertension of "normal-pressure" hydrocephalus. Six patients with this condition were studied endocrinologically; five showed evidence of hypothalamohypophyseal insufficiency, and, though only one needed treatment, all needed continued assessment of their endocrine state during follow-up. Thus, hypothalamohypophyseal dysfunction is more common than might be expected. Tests of anterior pituitary function should be preformed before surgical intervention, as such dysfunction may adversely affect survival and the response to ventricular shunting.

Adult↗

Beta-adrenoceptor-blocking drugs and blood sugar control in diabetes mellitus.

The effects on diabetic control of the relative cardioselective beta-blocker metoprolol and the non-selective drug propranolol were compared in 20 hypertensive diabetic patients receiving diet alone or diet and oral hypoglycaemic agents. Each drug was given for one month in a double-blind, cross-over study. Fasting, noon, and mid-afternoon blood sugar concentrations rose by 1.0-1.5 mmol/l (18-27 mg/100 ml). The rise with propranolol was not significantly greater than with metoprolol. In a few patients the rise was clinically important. The small overall change observed in diabetic control should not deter the use of beta-blockers in non-insulin-dependent diabetics, provided control is carefully monitored at the onset of treatment.

Adult↗