Do you want to increase your impact on clinical thinking and practice?

Are you interested in helping to set the standard for prescribing practice in the UK and around the world? Then why not get involved in producing DTB articles?

DTB articles are the result of several stages of circulation, comment and editing, involving a range of independent commentators (both specialist and generalist), manufacturers, patient groups and others. We are currently looking for people interested in becoming potential article authors and commentators.

Authors

Authors are needed to write the first draft of articles, which are always seen as the nucleus of the piece and are likely to change considerably before publication, with the original author being closely involved at each stage. The final article is published anonymously, reflecting the wide nature of the collaboration and the fact that the views expressed are those of DTB itself. Copyright over all versions of the draft rests with BMJ Group (the publisher of DTB). Authors are paid a set fee per article.

Commmentators

Articles in DTB aim to present a view that incorporates contributions from many people, including both specialists and non-specialists, and organisations. Typically DTB articles are circulated to over 40 individuals and organisations for comment, including independent experts, general practitioners, pharmacists, including community pharmacists and pharmaceutical advisors, and nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Articles are circulated unsigned, and all comments on them are treated in confidence.

Why contribute?

For over 45 years, DTB has been a highly regarded source of unbiased, independent information and practical advice for healthcare professionals. A report from the National Audit Office (NAO) entitled ±Prescribing Costs in Primary Care±, included research rating DTB as one of the top two most useful and objective information sources on prescribing, with only the BNF rating higher on these measures across a range of 23 sources (1). DTB has also been described publicly as a key source of unbiased, independent information (2). Surveys have consistently shown that readers find DTB authoritative and influential in relation to their decisions, recommendations or advice on treatments.

In terms of professional development, all authors and commentators will be provided with a certificate of involvement that can be used towards CME/CPD.

Contact us

If you would like to be considered as an author or commentator, or for more information, please email us at dtb{at}bmjgroup.com

(1) National Audit Office, Prescribing Costs in Primary Care, May 2007 www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/06-07/0607454.pdf

(2) House of Commons Health Committee, The Influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmhealth/42/42.pdf