Seventy-seven of 84 surviving patients in whom the irritable bowel syndrome had been diagnosed at least six years previously were reviewed. A different diagnosis was made in only four cases. Forty-four patients remained symptomatic and 29 patients had no further bowel problems.The irritable bowel syndrome is often a chronic, relapsing disorder, and further investigations are not necessary unless symptoms change considerably.
The 1994 NACT Wyeth-Ayerst Travelling Fellowship provided the opportunity to compare the education and welfare of preregistration house officers in the UK with their nearest counterpart in the US residency system. Investment in all aspects of learning was impressive, as was the retention of the central role of the patient in education. Adequate clinical exposure must take into account both the changing pattern of care delivery and the need to limit junior doctors' hours of work. Service containment is difficult to achieve. The selfeducating potential of junior medical staff should be maximised and a post analogous to 'Chief Resident' in the US could be considered. Explicit educational aims and objectives must be stated so that meaningful assessment can be carried out and feedback provided. Adequate support systems are essential and an earlier start to the working day is encouraged.
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