Research Paper of the Year Finalists Showcase

Research Paper of the Year

Category proudly sponsored by:

Recognising original clinical research that has contributed significantly to improving health and health care
Champion: Trish Groves, Deputy Editor, BMJ  

Effect of point of care testing for C reactive protein and training in communication skills on antibiotic use in lower respiratory tract infections: cluster randomised trial
BMJ 2009;338:b1374, doi: 10.1136/bmj.b1374
Antimicrobial resistance, mainly driven by inappropriate use of antibiotics, is a growing problem worldwide with considerable costs. GP trainee and researcher Jochen Cals and the IMPAC3T trial team study explore two broad approaches to management of one of the commonest primary care conditions. The paper received international media attention and was chosen as both distinguished paper and best presentation at the North American Primary Care Research Conference 2008. 

A Randomized Study of Lung Cancer Screening with Spiral Computed Tomography
Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009;180:445-53, doi:10.1164/rccm.200901-0076OC
Screening for early stage lung cancer with modern imaging technology (spiral CT) does detect early stage lung cancer but does not affect a smoker’s risk of developing advanced stage, incurable lung cancer. In this paper in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Maurizio Infante and the Dante Study Group report their trial of screening vs no screening with low dose spiral CT and suggest that the effect of this screening on lung cancer mortality is smaller than anticipated.

Pre-referral rectal artesunate to prevent death and disability in severe malaria: a placebo-controlled trial
Lancet 2009;373:557-66, doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61734-1
One million children under 5 die from malaria every year, of whom about 90% are in rural Africa. Every death could be prevented by prompt treatment using existing drugs, but it’s difficult to treat all children fast enough, especially in rural areas. In their Lancet paper Melba Gomes and the Study13 Group show that a simple and cheap rectal suppository antimalarial treatment cannot rescue terminally ill patients but could, if given earlier, prevent permanent disability or death.

A randomized controlled trial of financial incentives for smoking cessation
N Engl J Med 2009;360:699-709, doi:10.1056/NEJMsa0806819
Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death and morbidity worldwide. In this paper in the New England Journal of Medicine Dr Volpp and his team conclude that financial incentives can positively influence smokers to quit, and that these effects are sustained over a year and a half. This trial allocated smokers, who were employees of General Electric, to receive information about smoking cessation alone or in combination with a series of graduated financial rewards for particular behaviours.