Author Archives: egle.tuzaite

Brain scans predict MS, but should patients be told of risk?

If you had the nerve-degenerating disease multiple sclerosis, would you want to know, even if the symptoms weren’t going to appear for years? The research raises medical and ethical questions that genetic researchers and patients have bandied about for years: … Continue reading

Posted in Neuroethics | Comments Off on Brain scans predict MS, but should patients be told of risk?

Let students take drugs to boost brainpower, says leading academic

Students should be allowed to take “smart drugs”, such as Ritalin, to help boost their academic performance, a leading academic has suggested. John Harris, professor of bioethics and director of the Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation at the University … Continue reading

Posted in Neuroethics | Comments Off on Let students take drugs to boost brainpower, says leading academic

Millions for genetic technology

A major expansion of the use of genetic technology to tackle medical problems has been announced by Health Secretary John Reid. more

Posted in Problems of healthcare resource allocation | Comments Off on Millions for genetic technology

E-mail gaffe reveals HIV, AIDS names

WEST PALM BEACH – A highly confidential list of the names and addresses of 4,500 Palm Beach County residents with AIDS and 2,000 others who are HIV positive was e-mailed Thursday to more than 800 county health department employees. more

Posted in Doctor-patient relationship | Comments Off on E-mail gaffe reveals HIV, AIDS names

Operation 21st century

Will the much-vaunted 6.2 billion NHS e-revolution work? Sam Lister visits the first hospital phasing it in. more

Posted in Doctor-patient relationship | Comments Off on Operation 21st century

GPs dissatisfied with IT system

Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the British Medical Association’s GPs committee, said there were concerns over patient confidentiality that needed to be addressed before the scheme was rolled out. more

Posted in Doctor-patient relationship | Comments Off on GPs dissatisfied with IT system

Medicare data left on hotel computer

Social Security numbers and other personal information for nearly 17,000 Medicare beneficiaries could have been compromised when an insurance company employee called up the data on a hotel computer and then failed to delete the file. more

Posted in Doctor-patient relationship | Comments Off on Medicare data left on hotel computer

Government takes soft line on medical privacy

Of the 19,420 grievances lodged so far, the most common allegations have been that personal medical details were wrongly revealed, information was poorly protected, more details were disclosed than necessary, proper authorization was not obtained or patients were frustrated getting … Continue reading

Posted in Doctor-patient relationship | Comments Off on Government takes soft line on medical privacy

Consent not needed to test patients in emergency

In a public-health emergency, suspected victims would no longer have to give permission before experimental tests could be run to determine why they’re sick, under a federal rule published Wednesday. more

Posted in Doctor-patient relationship | Comments Off on Consent not needed to test patients in emergency

Doctors concerned over e-records

Doctors are raising a series of concerns about the confidentiality of the electronic care records system. more

Posted in Doctor-patient relationship | Comments Off on Doctors concerned over e-records