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Multiple Sclerosis: Tracking Down The Causes
Over 100,000 people suffer from multiple sclerosis in Germany alone. Despite intensive research, the factors that trigger the disease and influence its progress remain unclear. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology in Martinsried and an international research team have succeeded in attaining three important new insights into the disease. It would appear that B cells play an unexpected role in the spontaneous development of multiple sclerosis and that particularly aggressive T cells are activated by different proteins. Furthermore, a new animal model is helping the scientists to understand the emergence of the most common form of the disease in Germany. (Nature Medicine, May 31, 2009 & Journal of Experimental Medicine, June 1, 2009)

Gene Variant That Increases Ovarian Cancer Risk Discovered
By searching millions of DNA variations in the genomes of thousands of women with and without ovarian cancer, scientists have discovered a
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Blogs Comment On 'Common Ground' Bill, Abortion Coverage In Health Reform Legislation, Other Topics
The following summarizes selected women"s health-related blog entries.~ "Democratic Bill Could Be a Preview of Obama"s Abortion Plan," Dan Gilgoff, U.S. News & World Report"s "God and Country": A recently introduced bill aimed at reducing the need for abortion is "big news because moderate to liberal faith-based advocates are urging the White House to adopt the bill ... as the core of its forthcoming "common ground" plan on abortion and reproductive health," Gilgoff writes. Some conservative religious groups, including the Southern Baptist Convention and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, "have warned the White House" that the bill is a "deal breaker" for them because of its support for comprehensive sex education and contraception, he writes. The White House "has refused to say which way it"s leaning," Gilgoff writes, adding the Obama administration could "buck" the groups that support the bill and "get behind" the Pregnant Women Support Act, "which is generally considered more robust on reducing demand for abortions and which leaves out contraceptive funding." However, he concludes, "that would be a pretty big surprise" (Gilgoff, "God and Country," U.S. News & World Report, 7/23).~ "New Report: Abortion Providers = American Human Rights Defenders, Now Under Increasing Attack," Jodi Jacobson, RH Reality Check: A new Center for Reproductive Rights report "calls on both the federal and state governments to address the growing threats against and stigmatization and abuse of abortion providers throughout the United States," Jacobson writes. The report "focuses on a key obstacle to the realization of women"s reproductive rights ... and recognizes their work as human rights defenders," she writes, adding that the U.S. has "historically been a leader both in creating and in encouraging accountability to human rights principles throughout the world." However, "[a]ccess to reproductive health care generally and abortion care specifically are basic human rights largely ignored within the context of U.S. domestic politics," Jacobson writes, noting that abortion access in the U.S. "has been increasingly limited due to the range of obstacles created through anti-choice advocacy." The report highlights several "types of rights violations [that] are most pervasive in limiting women"s choices and the rights of abortion providers," including "intimidation and harassment," "stigma" and "legal restrictions." The report makes a "series of recommendations for change at the state and local level for changes in policy and in law enforcement practices, as well as for the federal government, medical community and non-governmental organizations," Jacobson concludes, adding that the report "makes a special plea for the United Nations Special Rapporteur to document violations of women"s human rights in the United States" (Jacobson, RH Reality Check, 7/22).~ "Sixteen Governors Call on Congress To Include Medicaid Family Planning State Option in Health Reform," Jodi Jacobson, RH Reality Check: "Sixteen governors have written a letter to both Senate and House Leadership "expressing strong support for the Medicaid Family Planning State Option,"" which is included in President Obama"s fiscal year 2010 budget proposal, Jacobson writes. The governors wrote, "Many of our states have created family planning expansion programs, though we have done so with great difficulty," adding, "Since the early 1990s, 27 states have been granted federal waivers to expand their Medicaid family planning coverage. These demonstration projects have been unqualified successes, providing care to millions of women while saving states [millions] of dollars." Jacobson continues, "The current Medicaid waiver process, however, "puts unnecessary roadblocks in the way of our efforts to maintain and expand coverage for family planning services,"" according to the governors. She adds, "Passing this law as part of health care reform "would give us the needed flexibility to quickly and efficiently expand cove
Medical Devices

Quality Of GP Consultations Drives High Patient Satisfaction, UK

Being given enough time with a GP and feeling that their problems are taken seriously are the most important factor in patients" satisfaction with their local surgery, according to new data out today. The GP Patient Survey, the biggest healthcare survey of its kind, found that overall satisfaction with surgeries was high at 91%, but there is still room for improvement in accessing GP services, especially getting through on the phone and being able to make appointments more than 48 hours in advance. The GP Patient Survey, conducted for the Department of Health by Ipsos MORI, is an important measure of how well surgeries in England are responding to patients" needs. Based on survey feedback from previous years, the Government set an ambitious target for at least 50% of GP surgeries to offer extended opening hours. Now over three-quarters of practices are open longer and satisfaction with practice opening hours is 82%. While patients are clearly pleased with the treatment they receive when they see a GP, the survey shows a clear need to improve access to services, and practices should look at these results to identify their patients" concerns. Other key findings from this year"s survey include: - 84% of people who tried to get an appointment with a GP in 48 hours reported they were able to do so; - 70% of people reported satisfaction with their ability to get through to their practice on the phone; - 76% of people who wanted to book ahead for an appointment reported they could do so; and - 77% of people who wanted an appointment with a particular GP (even if meant waiting longer) reported they could do so. Commenting on the results of the GP Patient Survey, Health Minister Mike O"Brien said: "The GP Patient Survey is one of the most valuable tools we have for measuring what patients think of their GP practice. I congratulate the vast majority of surgeries who are performing well, but its clear some surgeries now need to look at these results and identify the areas where patients are still dissatisfied. In particular this year"s results show there is work to be done in improving telephone access to surgeries and making it easier for patients to book appointments in advance. "I thank the millions of patients who took the time to complete this survey, this feedback is essential in making sure the NHS is meeting the needs of patients. We need to ask patients what they think to improve the quality of the NHS. We also need to listen and act on what patients say." In addition to information on accessing services, for the first time this year patients were asked their views on a wider range of topics that are also important to patients when visiting their GP, such as cleanliness and how long they wait after arriving. Patients reported that contrary to popular myths, GP receptionists are actually helpful with 94% of patients rating them highly. Patients were also able to feedback on their practice nurse for the first time this year with overwhelmingly positive results. The majority (92%) find it easy to see a practice nurse, and rated them highly on a range of factors from listening to them and asking about their symptoms, to explaining treatment and involving patients in decisions about their care. Patient feedback plays a vital role in shaping primary care services. To help GPs respond to the feedback their patients give them, the Department of Health will this Thursday (2 July), be publishing the Provider Guide on Access and Responsiveness, giving practices practical advice on how to deliver the services their patients need. The guide was developed in partnership with the Royal College of GPs, the BMA and a range of other groups to ensure it meets the needs of practices. It includes examples of best practice such as the Saltaire Medical Practice in Bradford which introduced online appointment booking, making it easier for patients to book, cancel and check details of appointments, and freeing up phone lines so that patients who did need to speak to the practice found it faster and more convenient. GPs are increasingly offering patients more ways to contact surgeries such as by email or online, but the profession needs to consider how to best do this and make sure that those without internet access also find it as easy to contact their surgery. Department of Health, UK


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