Next Generation: An Introduction to Medicine and Clinical Research

Selected Papers from the NEJM		NextGen Special Features
The following are free links to NEJM articles through the Next Generation. Special Article The Metrics of the Brain Drain: Tracking Physician Migration by F. Mullan, NEJM, October 27 2005, Vol 353(17) With epidemics of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases on national and international scales, developing countries shoulder the greatest burden of disease and have the greatest need for physicians. However, many prospective doctors travel away from these countries for their medical education and do not return. Furthermore, the medical systems of some high-income countries, including the U.S., rely on importing international medical graduates from low-income countries. What can be done to encourage physicians to stay or return to their home countries and lead the efforts against local health challenges? Audio Interview White Coat, Mood Indigo - Depression in Medical School by J.M. Rosenthal and S. Okie, NEJM, September 15 2005, Vol 353(11) In their age group, medical school students suffer the highest rates of depression, with one-fourth of first and second year students at UCSF claiming to be depressed. However, they often avoid seeking treatment, particularly in fear of being perceived as unable to handle a career in medicine. This concern is supported by the fact that many residency directors avoid choosing candidates with medical histories involving mental health and that state medical boards ask about medical conditions. How is the medical school environment being changed to address depression amongst its students? Perspective Article Getting an Edge - Use of Stimulants and Antidepressants in College by R. Kadison, NEJM, September 15 2005, Vol 353(11) There is a growing demand amongst college students for increased and more casual access to stimulants and antidepressant drugs such as those commonly used to treat ADHD and depression. The rising use of these drugs represents a shift in the minds of many students and parents to seek an "edge" against the stress and pressures of college life, and this presents a challenge to physicians seeking to prescribe the drugs for their proper therapeutic role. Health Policy Report The Effect of China's One-Child Family Policy after 25 Years by T. Hesketh, L. Lu, and Z.W. Xing, NEJM, September 15 2005, Vol 353(11) In 1979, China's One-Child Family Policy began as a short-term initiative to encourage small family sizes. The policy has had far-reaching implications on China's population growth, sex-ratio, and ratio of old-age dependency. As we approach the 30-year anniversary of the policy, is it time for the policy to be reevaluated or relaxed?		The following interviews and articles are exclusive to the Next Generation. A Day in the Life of a Physician Shiu Yuen Kwok, M.D., Ph.D., J.D. 4th in Series As an ophthalmologist and an "ethnic surgeon," Dr. Kwok has found a unique niche and a needy population in San Francisco's Chinatown community. Keenly aware of the socioeconomic challenges and the academic advantages provided by the Bay Area, Dr. Kwok stresses the need for patient education, cultural competency, and a life-long desire to learn. » More Articles from "A Day in the Life of a Physician" Pathways in Medicine Choosing Residencies 2nd in Series, with contributions by W. Bethune, S. Billmeier, M. Gerasimov, D.M.C. Foster, J. Pippins, M. Singer, A.-M. Wills, and C. Vu Last time, we spoke with Dr. Nancy Oriol of Harvard Medical School who helped us lay down the foundations for the Pathways in Medicine series. In this second installment, we wanted to talk to medical students applying for residency programs, current residents, and recent residency graduates. We interviewed eight physicians and physicians-in-training who told us about the people, experiences, and preferences that helped direct them to their residency programs. » More Articles from "Pathways in Medicine" The Second NextGen Reader Survey To help us improve our publication and suggest topics for us to cover, please take this short reader survey! New topics: Year of Undergraduate Education, Certainty of Applying to Medical School, "Big Picture" Topics Letter to the Editor The Collegiate EMS Advantage from J.A. Marks » More Letters to the Editor Advice to the Next Generation What are some things to look for when choosing a medical school? Is it possible to practice family medicine without doing obstetrics? Are 24-hour rotations still the norm for residents and interns? Other than "helping people," what are some other aspects of a doctor's job? How serious a problem is doctor burnout? » Other Questions and Answers The next issue arrives January 1.

Selected Papers from the NEJM

NextGen Special Features

The following are free links to NEJM articles through the Next Generation.

Special Article

The Metrics of the Brain Drain: Tracking Physician Migration

by F. Mullan, NEJM, October 27 2005, Vol 353(17)

With epidemics of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases on national and international scales, developing countries shoulder the greatest burden of disease and have the greatest need for physicians. However, many prospective doctors travel away from these countries for their medical education and do not return. Furthermore, the medical systems of some high-income countries, including the U.S., rely on importing international medical graduates from low-income countries. What can be done to encourage physicians to stay or return to their home countries and lead the efforts against local health challenges?

Audio Interview

White Coat, Mood Indigo - Depression in Medical School

by J.M. Rosenthal and S. Okie, NEJM, September 15 2005, Vol 353(11)

In their age group, medical school students suffer the highest rates of depression, with one-fourth of first and second year students at UCSF claiming to be depressed. However, they often avoid seeking treatment, particularly in fear of being perceived as unable to handle a career in medicine. This concern is supported by the fact that many residency directors avoid choosing candidates with medical histories involving mental health and that state medical boards ask about medical conditions. How is the medical school environment being changed to address depression amongst its students?

Perspective Article

Getting an Edge - Use of Stimulants and Antidepressants in College

by R. Kadison, NEJM, September 15 2005, Vol 353(11)

There is a growing demand amongst college students for increased and more casual access to stimulants and antidepressant drugs such as those commonly used to treat ADHD and depression. The rising use of these drugs represents a shift in the minds of many students and parents to seek an "edge" against the stress and pressures of college life, and this presents a challenge to physicians seeking to prescribe the drugs for their proper therapeutic role.

Health Policy Report

The Effect of China's One-Child Family Policy after 25 Years

by T. Hesketh, L. Lu, and Z.W. Xing, NEJM, September 15 2005, Vol 353(11)

In 1979, China's One-Child Family Policy began as a short-term initiative to encourage small family sizes. The policy has had far-reaching implications on China's population growth, sex-ratio, and ratio of old-age dependency. As we approach the 30-year anniversary of the policy, is it time for the policy to be reevaluated or relaxed?

The following interviews and articles are exclusive to the Next Generation.

A Day in the Life of a Physician

Shiu Yuen Kwok, M.D., Ph.D., J.D.

4th in Series

As an ophthalmologist and an "ethnic surgeon," Dr. Kwok has found a unique niche and a needy population in San Francisco's Chinatown community. Keenly aware of the socioeconomic challenges and the academic advantages provided by the Bay Area, Dr. Kwok stresses the need for patient education, cultural competency, and a life-long desire to learn.

» More Articles from "A Day in the Life of a Physician"

Pathways in Medicine

Choosing Residencies

2nd in Series, with contributions by W. Bethune, S. Billmeier, M. Gerasimov, D.M.C. Foster, J. Pippins, M. Singer, A.-M. Wills, and C. Vu

Last time, we spoke with Dr. Nancy Oriol of Harvard Medical School who helped us lay down the foundations for the Pathways in Medicine series. In this second installment, we wanted to talk to medical students applying for residency programs, current residents, and recent residency graduates. We interviewed eight physicians and physicians-in-training who told us about the people, experiences, and preferences that helped direct them to their residency programs.

» More Articles from "Pathways in Medicine"

The Second NextGen Reader Survey

To help us improve our publication and suggest topics for us to cover, please take this short reader survey! New topics: Year of Undergraduate Education, Certainty of Applying to Medical School, "Big Picture" Topics

Letter to the Editor

The Collegiate EMS Advantage

from J.A. Marks

» More Letters to the Editor

Advice to the Next Generation

» Other Questions and Answers

The next issue arrives January 1.

The Next Generation is an independent online publication produced in collaboration with Editors of the New England Journal of Medicine. All content referencing the New England Journal of Medicine is copyrighted property of the NEJM and the Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved on original content by the Next Generation.

The Next Generation (NextGen) is an online publication that seeks to broaden perspectives in medicine for everyone, from premedical and medical students to general readers, by connecting them to current physicians and clinical scientists. It is published every two months by Harvard College undergraduates in collaboration with editors of the New England Journal of Medicine.