Surgical self-regulation under fire

Article Abstract:

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a popular, expeditious new surgical procedure for removing gall bladders, may provide malpractice lawyers with a fertile source of business. Laparoscopy's high complication rate has drawn attention to poor oversight of the credentialing process for new surgical techniques. Some organizations, such as SAGES, have issued voluntary credentialing guidelines, but in the case of laparoscopy, such efforts are severely hampered by the apparently limitless number of surgical procedures being handled by the technique.

Standards, Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopy, Gallbladder

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Students support residency limits within reform plan

Article Abstract:

The members of the AMA Medical Student Section voted to support limits to the number of U.S. residency postions available, although they decided not to set exact numerical limits. There are about 45% more U.S. residency slots than US medical students, and AMA pres Lonnie Bristow plans to propose a cap of 10% more than the current number of US medical students. There is some debate in the AMA over whether or not U.S. graduates should be given preference over graduates from other countries in filling these slots.

Economic policy, Training, Employment, American Medical Association, Residents (Medicine)

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Patients heard it through the on-line

Article Abstract:

Many patients with Parkinson's disease have learned about or discussed pallidotomy on online bulletin boards, helping fuel a boom in the surgical procedure's use. Doctors admit that online conversations can sometimes provide patients with up-to-date information, but they also warn that such information is not always accurate and that having information does not always automatically lead to good decisionmaking by patients.

On-Line Information Services, Communication services, not elsewhere classified, Home TV Data Service, Usage, Computer networks, Practice, Information services, Brain, Patients, Parkinson's disease, Parkinson disease, Information networks, Brain surgery, Videotex systems

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