Patient Information Awards At The BMA Medical Book Competition 2007, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Arthritis;  Breast Cancer;  Headache / Migraine
Article Date: 14 Sep 2007 - 19:00 PDT

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Innovative publications and resources designed to help some of the most vulnerable members of society have scooped the top accolades at the BMA Patient Information Awards 2007.

The BMA Patient Award (Printed Materials) went to Breakthrough Breast Cancer for their publication Breast Cancer Risk Factors: The Facts. Aimed at people wanting more information about factors which increase or decrease breast cancer risk, it was praised by its reviewer as "clearly explaining the facts through excellent side indexes which rank risk factors from established to doubtful in a way which is really enlightening."

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said:

"We are delighted to receive this prestigious award. To be selected from a field of 221 publications is a great achievement and highlights our commitment to providing high quality information about breast cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK.

"This award is a real testament to the hard work by our staff to ensure we educate women about risk factors associated with breast cancer in a responsible and accessible way."

The BMA Patient Information Award (Website) was won by Arthritis Care for their website, http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk. Described by its reviewer as a simply "fantastic resource on the clinical and social aspects of arthritis", this year's winner triumphed in a highly competitive field the encompassed competition from across the medical spectrum.

Kate Llewelyn, Head of Information Services at Arthritis Care, said:

"Gaining this recognition from the BMA makes me and my Arthritis Care colleagues very proud."

"People with arthritis told us they wanted a site that gave them detailed but jargon-free information about the condition which nine million in the UK live with daily. But they also wanted a way to communicate with each other so that they could share stories and ways to cope. Our success in creating this safe and popular area is something I'm incredibly proud of. Volunteers who have arthritis themselves moderate the forums for us, something they really enjoy."

"The website allows us to provide immediate information, reassuring people with arthritis and offering support. It also enables us to dispel many myths about arthritis, especially that there is nothing you can do."

"We appreciate the BMA recognising our achievement."

Three special awards also highlighted specific materials for people with learning disabilities, the electronic media and younger age groups.

The Patient Information Award (People with Learning Difficulties) was won by Trouble with Your Waterworks, a leaflet produced by Surrey and Borders NHS Trust that is aimed at helping men with learning difficulties recognise urological problems

The Haemophilia Society triumphed in the Patient Information Award (Electronic Media) category for their DVD, Living with Haemophilia Joint Pain. Produced in collaboration with Professor James Elander at the University of Derby and the Haemophilia Society's Georgina Robinson, this excellent resource provides advice based on long-term research involving people with the condition.

In the Patient Information Award (Young People) category, Health Rights Information Scotland won first prize for Confidentiality - Your Rights. Its reviewer was impressed by "the range of people and groups, including children, who were involved in the leaflet" which they felt "shows how seriously this organisation takes the production of information for children and young people."

Also at the ceremony, the top prize of BMA Medical Book of the Year was awarded to Allergy, 3rd edition (Mosby Elsevier 2006, ISBN 0323032273 £88.99) by Stephen T. Holgate, Martin K. Church and Lawrence M. Lichtenstein.

The BMA Patient information award was established in 1997 to encourage excellence in the production of patient information. Since then, the awards have become well-known as one of the major annual events in the consumer health calendar. Interest continues to grow: 28 awards were made this year from a total of 221 entries (1 first prize, 20 highly commended and 7 commended prizes.)

Professor Sir Kenneth Calman KCB, FRCS FRSE, Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, presented the awards at a ceremony at BMA House in London on the evening of Wednesday 12 September 2007.

The BMA Medical Book competition has been held annually since 1994 by the BMA's Board of Science and administered by the BMA Library. It aims to encourage and reward excellence in medical publishing and patient information.

A total of 136 prizes (20 first prizes, 55 highly commended prizes, and 61 commended prizes) have been awarded from a total entry of 632 books. The total number of entries is nearly 10% higher than the previous year's entries.

For a full list of winners and details of how to enter next year's competition please visit here.

http://www.bma.org.uk/