Linkfest Today


The American Psychiatric Association is ending industry sponsorship of their continuing medical education courses.  There has been significant controversy about whether drug companies influence educational material, and now, major societies are simply banning their involvement.  There may be unintended consequences, however, as many CMEs sponsored by drug makers contain valuable information, and the sponsorship revenue lost can mean higher prices for physicians attending the conferences.

The obesity problem is hitting firefighters and other emergency medical service workers.  A recent study showed that nearly all recruits in Boston were either overweight or obese.  Normally, that would not be a huge surprise, considering the poor lifestyle and diet choices of the public as a whole.  However, given their responsibilities, it should be noted that "firefighters and medics depended on one another in emergencies and that a condition incapacitating one could jeopardize the lives of others and the community at large."  Are stricter fitness requirements necessary?  Perhaps, but that may significantly thin out the applicant pool, and lead to a future firefighter shortage.