Amol and Nathan want you to understand the following:

1. A large randomized evaulation of a quality improvement intervention demonstrated a modest but significant reduction in rates of cesarean-section in Quebec.

2. A large double-blind randomized-controlled-trial of over 1100 patients showed that pentoxifylline is not beneficial in the treatment of alcoholic hepatitis and prednisolone may have mild early benefits but does not have long-term benefit.

Continuing Medical Education

Internists can receive 0.5 hours of Continuing Medical Education credit for each podcast they listen to through the Canadian Society of Internal Medicine (MOC Category 1) and the American Medical Association (PRA Category 1). To receive CME credit for listening to this podcast, please click here to fill out our Evaluation and Impact Assessment Form.

The papers

MR Thursz et al. Prednisolone or Pentoxifylline for Alcoholic Hepatitis. N Engl J Med. 2015 Apr 23;372(17):1619-28. (PubMed).

N Chaillet et al. A cluster-randomized trial to reduce cesarean delivery rates in Quebec. N Engl J Med. 2015 Apr 30;372(18):1710-21. (PubMed).

Good Stuff

SG Morgan et al. Estimated cost of universal public coverage of prescription drugs in Canada. CMAJ. 2015 Apr 21;187(7):491-7.

MB Stanbrook. Canada can afford universal pharmacare — no more excuses. CMAJ. 2015 Apr 21; 187(7):495.

What is an internist?

The post A Hippocratic Dilemma: Reducing rates of c-sections and prednisolone vs. pentoxifylline for alcoholic hepatitis. appeared first on Healthy Debate.