Medical Councils and Boards are de facto the gatekeepers of the work of medical doctors and their interaction with the public. This article examines some ethical and medico-legal issues that may arise when biomedical doctors are not licensed in a particular year to practice medicine.

Head injury in admitted patients is mainly due to road traffic accidents, falls and interpersonal violence. More effective prevention strategies including education and law enforcement are urgently warranted.

It is concluded from this hospital-based study that the mandatory seat belt law was associated with increased seat belt use in vehicle accident victims. However, current data from the Road Traffic Agency indicated that there is still an alarming number of fatalities. This clearly suggests that additional public health measures are needed to address the epidemic of motor vehicle trauma in Jamaica.

Infected nonunion of long bones has been a challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. The Illizarov method simultaneously addresses nonunion, infection, shortening and deformity.

The significant relationship between unmnet needs and quality of life in breast cancer patients may be improved with interventions for patients’ psychosocial needs. This will require re-evaluation of doctor-patient communication.

Environmental factors may be of paramount importance as driving forces in the changing trend.