MRI study: Great Britain's Health Protection Agency has announced that it will undertake a major epidemiological study on adverse health effects from high static field Magnetic Resonance Imaging machines, particularly with regard to the impact on healthcare workers who operate the machines. “MRI scanning has some undoubted benefits in medicine, especially as an aid to accurate clinical diagnosis. However we need to bear in mind that the magnetic fields produced by the machines are quite substantial and that these fields are increasing in order to achieve improved clarity of image,” stated agency Chairman Sir William Stewart.

Diagnostically elusive: The US National Institutes of Health has unveiled a pilot clinical research project aimed at improved disease management for patients with “mysterious conditions that have long eluded diagnosis.” The pilot will take 100 patients per year (http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov). “A small number of patients suffer from symptoms that do not corresponded to known conditions, making their care and treatment extraordinarily difficult,” said NIH Director Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni.

Second look: The Alberta Cancer Board says it will re-examine its 2006 study which concluded there isn't a higher incidence of blood, colon, bile-duct and liver cancers in Fort Chipewyan, a small community downstream from Alberta's oilsands projects, than in other parts of the province. Residents and physician Dr. John O'Connor (CMAJ 2008;178[12]:1529) have long postulated a link between higher rates of cancer and the development of the tar sands.

Play the odds: A 37-member task force initiated by the American College of Chest Physicians has recommended an algorithm for rationing care in the event of a flu pandemic or natural disaster (Chest 2008;133:1S-7S). It urges that in cases where medical need exceeds supply, patients with a greater than 80% chance of dying in hospital should be denied ventilators, using the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, measuring levels of such factors as oxygenation, platelets, bilirubin and consciousness. Application of the algorithm would essentially preclude such groups as the elderly, the demented, the badly burned and severe trauma victims from receiving care. A pair of Canadian physicians, Dr. Michael Christian and Dr. Randy Wax, sat on the task force and earlier helped craft a similar algorithm for flu pandemics in Canada (CMAJ 2006;175:1377-81).

Website launch: Médecins Sans Frontières has launched a free website compiling research based on the work of its volunteer physicians. The website (www.fieldresearch.msf.org) has more than 350 articles, many previously published in peer-reviewed medical journals, on topics such as malaria, tuberculosis, refugee health and emergency medical care.

Recruiting: The Global Health Workforce Alliance has unveiled guidelines for providing incentives for the retention and recruitment of health professionals (www.who.int). The wide-ranging guidelines cover such financial incentives as tax waivers, insurance and allowances (housing, clothing, daycare, etc.), as well as non-financial incentives, such as flexible hours and career development programs. Largely a compendium of practices around the world, the guidelines often provide examples of novel initiatives, such as split patient loads for family physicians over 60 years of age.

Home wanted: The New Brunswick government is hoping a private sector donor will step forward to fund a building for the medical school the province has pledged to establish. The launch of the new medical program, originally scheduled for 2007, has been delayed until 2010, and the government now says a temporary home may be necessary for the first 2 years of operation. Premier Shawn Graham says a proper site will cost about $20 million. “We're prepared to fund the operational side of a medical school, but the infrastructure has to have participation from the community.” To date, the search for a permanent home has put the start date at risk. — Roger Collier, Ann Silversides and Wayne Kondro, CMAJ