Thirty‐three female subjects with subdiagnostic DSM‐III‐R anorexia nervosa (SAN) and/or subdiagnostic bulimia nervosa (SBN) were reinterviewed 24 to 52 months (mean 41 months) after seeking treatment for an eating disorder. Subjects were administered a semi structured interview by telephone and assessed for level of functioning, eating disorder symptoms, course of illness, and treatment sought. During the course of the follow‐up, 15 (46%) subjects went on to meet full DSM‐III‐R criteria for AN and/or BN. At follow‐up, 4 (12%) met full DSM‐III‐R criteria for AN and/or BN, 22 (67%) were subdiagnostic, and 6 (18%) had recovered. The high percentage of subdiagnostic women that eventually develop full DSM‐III‐R criteria for AN and/or BN and the low rates of recovery at 2 to 4 years suggest that the current diagnostic criteria may be too restrictive. © 1993 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

As UK primary care undergoes rapid change, general practice nurses face great challenges in providing quality care in a cost-contained environment. These challenges require the application of clinical leadership. Aim: To describe the concept of clinical leadership from a general practice nurse's perspective and determine nurses' clinical leadership needs. Methods: A small qualitative study (n=12) adopting a phenomenological approach and using one-to-one, in-depth interviews. Findings (to be presented in three articles). Part 1: The perceived skills and attributes of clinical leaders were similar to those identified in previous studies with the exception of ‘political astuteness’ and ‘strategic influencing’. In parts 2 and 3, the factors influencing the development of leadership skills and the leadership mechanisms used by practice nurses will be explored.

Chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a debilitating illness that affects many systems of the body, particularly the nervous and immune systems. The condition affects all age, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. This article focuses on the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to recognise, assess, manage and support patients with CFS/ME. The principles of management and rehabilitation can be applied by nurses and other healthcare professionals irrespective of the clinical setting and context.

Practice nurses often work in isolated roles and although many enjoy the opportunity for innovation and autonomy within a supportive environment (Baird, 2003) it is sometimes difficult for them to become involved in wider leadership opportunities because of their employment status. Geographical location and lone working arrangements may also limit professional networking and there is evidence to suggest that a significant number of nurses working in general practice settings would like more access to professional support (NHS Education for Scotland, 2007).

As UK primary care undergoes rapid change, general practice nurses face great challenges in providing quality care in a cost-contained environment. These challenges require the application of clinical leadership. Aim: To describe the concept of clinical leadership from a general practice nurse's perspective and determine nurses’ clinical leadership needs. Methods: A small qualitative study (n×12) adopting a phenomenological approach and using one-to-one, in-depth interviews. Findings (presented in three articles). Part 2: Factors infl uencing the development of clinical leadership skills in general practice include role development opportunities and the structure and culture of the organization or setting which can act as either enablers or barriers.