Postgraduate medical education quality metrics panels can be enhanced by including learner outcomes.

Postgraduate medical education (PME) quality assurance at Health Education England (HEE) currently relies upon survey data. As no one metric can reflect all aspects of training, and each has its limitations, additional metrics should be explored. At HEE (West Midlands), we explored the use of learner outcomes, speciality examination pass rates and Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) outcomes, as quality metrics.

Birmingham Behçet's service: classification of disease and application of the 2014 International Criteria for Behçet's Disease (ICBD) to a UK cohort.

Background: This study reports on the analysis of the application and diagnostic predictability of the revised 2014 ICBD criteria in an unselected cohort of UK patients, and the ensuing organ associations and patterns of disease.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a database of electronic medical records. Three categories were recognised: clinically defined BD, incomplete BD and rejected diagnoses of BD.

Leadership and the medical registrar: how can organisations support these unsung heroes?

Medical registrars have been described as the 'workhorses' of National Health Service hospitals, being at the interface of acute and chronic health services. They are expected to demonstrate effective leadership skills. There are concerns from the Royal College of Physicians that medical registrars are being overwhelmed and unsupported by organisations, and are struggling in their ability to provide safe, high-quality patient care.

Hypogonadism and low bone mineral density in patients on long-term intrathecal opioid delivery therapy.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in a sample of male patients undertaking intrathecal opioid delivery for the management of chronic non-malignant pain and the presence of osteopaenia and/or osteoporosis in those diagnosed with hypogonadism.

Design: Observational study using health data routinely collected for non-research purposes.

Setting: Department of Pain Management, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, UK.