News archive for 2010

November

Rheumatology 2 gives useful and practical advice on diagnosis and management of patients with rheumatological disorders. All chapters have been thoroughly reviewed and updated by the expert writing group.

Includes:

A new chapter on assessment of peripheral musculoskeletal disorders, including clinical features (red flags) that indicate potentially serious pathology and a summary table to help determine rheumatological causes of inflammatory musculoskeletal symptoms
New recommendations about drug treatment of rheumatological pain, particularly for low back pain, osteoarthritis, acute neck pain and shoulder pain
Emphasis on the role of nonpharmacological therapy, including patient self-management, where appropriate (such as for osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, neck pain and nonspecific low back pain)
Information on the remission/induction model of therapy for some inflammatory rheumatological disorders and early commencement of disease-modifying therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, aiming to stem inflammation before chronic and disabling damage occurs
A new chapter on polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis
Practical advice on management of generalised noninflammatory chronic pain syndrome including fibromyalgia
Information to distinguish inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders (and their mimics) in children from more common noninflammatory pains of a growing child. New sections give information on noninflammatory musculoskeletal pain in children and practical points for paediatric prescribing
Advice to allow users to weigh up the harms versus benefits of prescribing rheumatological drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids
Emphasis on the importance of monitoring for adverse effects of drugs, such as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and corticosteroids

Interview
See an interview with Professor Rob Moulds, chairman of the Rheumatology 2 expert group, discussing new chapters and recommendations in this new release.

August

Guided tour of eTG complete

eTG complete is the star of a new 'guided tour' video tutorial.

The guided tour explains the best way to navigate and access the wide range of information included in eTG complete. Many winning features are highlighted, such as diagrams, references, supporting information, resources, evidence, and downloadable patient information sheets and PDFs.

See the eTG complete guided tour [MP4 file, 13MB, 8 mins]

Antibiotic 14 now available

First published in 1978, Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic is Australia's leading source of independent advice on the treatment of infectious diseases. In Antibiotic 14, all topics have been extensively reviewed and updated as needed to ensure the most appropriate treatment for individual patients, while minimising the potential for antimicrobial resistance.

Three expert groups bring their combined knowledge and expertise to this version; it has been a joint project of the Antibiotic, Respiratory Infections, and Infective Endocarditis Prophylaxis Expert Groups. The result is concise practical information on a wide range of infections and explicit antimicrobial drug recommendations for the busy practitioner.

Includes:

Key chapters on managing infections of the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, genital tract, respiratory tract, skin and soft tissues, urinary tract, bones and joints
A new chapter on antimicrobial hypersensitivity with a summary table on management of patients with penicillin hypersensitivity
New severity scoring tools for community-aquired pneumonia in adults
An expanded section on influenza
A new approach to the use of aminoglycosides
More information on community-associated MRSA
An expanded section on home-based intravenous antimicrobial therapy
Updated vancomycin dosage and monitoring recommendations
Revised renal impairment dosing guidelines
A new section on antimicrobial stewardship

Interview
See an interview with Professor Rob Moulds, chairman of the Antibiotic 14 expert group, discussing key changes and new sections in this important new release.

April

Palliative Care 3 now available

Therapeutic Guidelines: Palliative Care 3 is an essential guide for practitioners and carers involved in management of terminally ill patients. An emphasis is placed on the need for a holistic approach to palliative care, and guidance is provided on the treatment of an extensive range of symptoms that may be present. Aspects of emotional and spiritual care are discussed, and the value of a team approach and the role of carers and family members emphasised.

Includes:

Guidance on managing severe acute pain, incident pain, and pain in patients with substance abuse disorders
Discussion on paediatric medications, patient autonomy and patient transition into adulthood
New information on use of tramadol, buprenorphine, fentanyl lozenges, pregabalin, venlafaxine, duloxetine, ibandronate and methylnaltrexone
Expanded discussion on management of heart failure, deactivation of implantable cardiac devices, and patients with renal failure
Updated information on patients with HIV/AIDS with discussion of highly active antiretroviral therapy and HIV-related chronic pain syndromes
Approaches to management of gastrointestinal symptoms, genitourinary symptoms, and urinary incontinence
Enteral administration of drugs and updated information on recommended syringe drivers

Hear Professor Peter Ravenscroft, chairman of the Palliative Care 3 expert group, discuss the book in an audio interview.