MedPulse is a weekly index of key news and features on Medscape's specialty sites compiled by Medscape's Editors.

 

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This week in the Psychiatry MedPulse, we present the latest article from Current Opinion in Psychiatry that discusses the issues and controversies in schizophrenia research today. We also present an original Psychiatry eJournal article on PSYOPS. This is a little known but powerful aspect of the military approach to warfare - the psychologial operations.

This week we are pleased to offer a special Medscape Clinical Collection of articles on suicide. This is presented on the Editor's Choice page. We have included in this week's MedPulse an incredible two-part clinical update on suicide from Leonardo Tondo, MD, and Ross J. Baldessarini, MD. They are also for CME.

There are two upcoming meetings related to psychiatry and technology that are worthy of your attention. The Third International Symposium, Internet, Psychiatry and Mental Health. Benefits and Risks takes place April 10-11, 2003, in Paris, France. Poster presentations are still being accepted.
On May 17, 2003, the annual meeting of the American Association of Technology in Psychiatry takes place in San Francisco, CA. Paper and poster submissions are still being accepted.

Don't forget our great collection of Psychiatry Resource Centers!
Enjoy.

As always, suggestions and comments are welcome. Contact me at psycheditor@webmd.net. For technical concerns, please contact our customer support staff at mpmailings@webmd.net.

RS Kennedy
Editor, Medscape Psychiatry

 

Introduction to Current Controversies in Schizophrenia Research
This past year has seen several interesting patterns in the literature on schizophrenia research.
Curr Opin Psychiatry 16(2) 2003


PSYOPS: Psychological Operations
An original Medscape Psychiatry eJournal article on the psychological aspects of warfare
Medscape General Medicine 5(1) 2003


Psychiatry Journal Scan, January 2003
Highlights of this month's Journal Scan include a study on symptoms in older patients with borderline personality disorder and another on the effects of antidepressants on driving.
Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health 8(1) 2003


Suicide: Historical, Descriptive, and Epidemiological Considerations
A Medscape Psychiatry clinical update on the background and perspectives in suicide


Suicide: Causes and Clinical Management
A Medscape Psychiatry exclusive clinical update on managing issues of suicide in patients.


Pair of Studies Refute Notion That Stimulants for ADHD Lead to SA
Two studies appearing in this month's issue of Pediatrics appear to debunk any notion that the use of stimulant medications to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) leads to substance abuse further down the line.
Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly 15(2) 2003


Parents Aim to Raise Awareness of Resources for Troubled Teens
A group of parents of troubled teenagers, in conjunction with Teen Help and the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS), has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the resources available to parents and teenagers.
Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly 15(5) 2003


Many Smokers, Binge Drinkers Do Not Receive Doctor's Advice
Researchers estimate that many smokers and binge drinkers may not receive advise about quitting smoking or reducing their alcohol use during routine checkups, Health Behavior News Service reported.
Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly 15(2) 2003


Reimbursement in Post-HIPPA World Hinges on Completeness of Code Sets
Not that anyone is going to characterize HIPAA compliance activity as glamorous, but at least there are aspects of maintaining the privacy and security of health information that get people engaged.
Getting Paid in Behavioral Healthcare 8(3) 2003


CONFERENCE CALENDAR
American Psychosomatic Society
March 5-8, Phoenix, AZ
Medscape Conference Calendar


Third International Symposium, Internet, Psychiatry and Mental Health. Benefits and Risks
April 11-12, Paris, France
Medscape Conference Calendar


American Society of Addiction Medicine
May 01-04, Toronto, ON, Canada
Medscape Conference Calendar


American Association for Technology in Psychiatry
May 17, San Francisco, CA
Medscape Conference Calendar


American Psychiatric Association
May 17-22, San Francisco, CA
Medscape Conference Calendar

 

OXIDATIVE STRESS IN DIABETES
Read about the role oxidative stress plays in the etiology of the
late complications of diabetes in "Are Oxidative Stress-Activated
Signaling Pathways Mediators of Insulin Resistance and Beta-Cell
Dysfunction?" from Medscape's Publishers' Circle. NEW on the front
page of the Microvascular Complications of Diabetes Resource Center.
 

Smoking Cessation Linked to Cold Symptoms, Mouth Ulcers
Informing patients of these risks is likely to prepare them psychologically and to increase the likelihood of successful cessation.
Medscape Medical News 2003


Spike in Malpractice Premiums Hurting Access to Care -- Survey
Physician groups faced an average rate hike of 53.15% in malpractice premiums between 2002 and 2003, forcing many doctors to consider retiring, moving or curtailing patient care services, according to a survey by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).
Reuters Health Information 2003


Alcohol Industry Says Study on Alcohol Abuse Flawed
A recent publication citing the amount spent on alcohol by teen drinkers and alcohol abusers is an "attempt to manipulate data to get sensational headlines," representatives of the alcohol industry said Tuesday.
Reuters Health Information 2003


Laboratory Test Could Replace Animal Research on Inflammation
German researchers have developed a new way to test whether a substance causes an inflammatory reaction, which they believe could reduce the need for animal testing by more than 25%.
Reuters Health Information 2003


UN Says World Using More Illicit Drugs, Growing More Heroin
The use of synthetic drugs like ecstasy is booming among people in affluent countries, the United Nations said on Wednesday.
Reuters Health Information 2003


UN Agency Criticizes UK's Softening on Cannabis
Britain's decision to ease laws on cannabis has confused people to the point where they think the drug is now legal and undermines African efforts to curb production, a United Nations agency said on Wednesday.
Reuters Health Information 2003


Minors and Adult Alcohol Abusers Purchase Half of the Alcohol in the US
Almost half of the money spent on alcohol in the US comes out of the pockets of underage drinkers or adults who drink excessive amounts, according to a report published in the February 26th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Reuters Health Information 2003


Safer Injecting Sites Favored by Canadian Drug Users
More than one third of surveyed Canadian injection drug users said that they would make use of medically supervised safer injecting facilities (SIFs) were such centers available, researchers report in the January 1st issue of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes.
Reuters Health Information 2003


Being a Doctor Means Having to Say You're Sorry
Neither doctors nor patients get proper emotional support after involvement in a medical error, but doctors should apologize more to their patients and offer them appropriate information.
Medscape Medical News 2003


Race, Sex Disparities of Care Seem to Be Narrowing
A report of hemodialysis rates could only determine disparities for whites and blacks; complete recording of ethnic information would be helpful for future analyses.
Medscape Medical News 2003


Indian Drug Maker Sues Pfizer Over Generic Sertraline
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories said on Monday it has filed a suit against Pfizer Inc. to enable it to market a generic version of Pfizer's blockbuster antidepressant sertraline (Zoloft).
Reuters Health Information 2003


Longer-Term Use of Antidepressants Reduces Relapse Rate
The use of antidepressants for 1 year or more, in addition to a 4- to 6-month standard treatment, significantly reduces the relapse rate in people with depressive disorders, according to a report in the February 22nd issue of The Lancet.
Reuters Health Information 2003